§ Mr. Ewingasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table indicating how many inquiries he has received to date from firms wishing to participate in the oil industry; how many were from Scottish firms; how many inquiries have resulted in the firm actually setting up in Scotland; and how many inquiries are still being processed.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellSince February, my office has dealt with some 30 inquiries from firms about possible developments in the oil industry. Most of them were requests for information and about-two-thirds of them have been from Scottish companies. None is under consideration at present. Inquiries are also received by the Department of Trade and Industry, the Scottish Council (Development and Industry), the North East of Scotland Development Authority and the Highlands and Islands Development Board.
It is not possible to identify companies which have set up in Scotland in consequence of these inquiries.