§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will take steps to ensure that oil industry supply companies in Scotland, which are in receipt of public funds, set up their main purchasing offices in Scotland.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantNo. I do not believe it would be appropriate to apply such an automatic condition to assistance from public funds, and I do not consider it a necessary step in order to ensure that Scottish and other British firms are given a full and fair opportunity to compete for offshore business.