§ Mr. Millanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the staff of the Offshore Supplies Office in total and in Scotland, respectively ; and if he will give a breakdown of their engineering and other qualifications.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanThe current numbers of staff in the Offshore Supplies Office in London and in the Scottish Petroleum Office at Glasgow are 30 and nine respectively. These include seven qualified engineers in London and one in Glasgow all of whom have had first-hand industrial experience. In addition three of the other staff in London and two in Glasgow have worked in industry or had other practical engineering experience. Both the London and Glasgow offices are able to draw on the resources of the Department as a whole.
§ Mr. Millanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much financial assistance has now been offered to Scottish industry, through his Offshore Supplies Office, under the Industry Act, in connection with North Sea oil developments ; and if he will give an analysis of the kind of projects involved.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanThree offers of regional selective assistance totalling £900,000 have been made to companies located in Scotland and a further seven applications are under consideration. I regret that I cannot disclose details since this would breach commercial confidence. Further aid to Scottish industry supplying North Sea requirements is also available under the Industry Act through regional development grants, shipbuilding construction grants and the offshore supplies interest relief grant scheme announced on 6th November.
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