§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is aware that Chevron Oil (United Kingdom) Limited has an application before the appropriate planning authority for a major oil refinery development at Portencross, Ayrshire, which would create up to 2,000 construction jobs in the short term and and a substantial number of permanent jobs in the long term; and what is his policy towards the siting of this refinery at Portencross.
§ Sir J. EdenI am aware of the application to build a refinery at Portencross but it is for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland to decide whether the application should be granted under his planning powers.