§ 60. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he has taken, or intends to take, to safeguard the environment in Scotland consequent on the exploitation of North Sea oil.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellExisting planning procedures enable environmental considerations to be fully taken into account in relation to particular proposals, and the advice of the Countryside Commission and the Nature Conservancy is available to local planning authorities. More generally I have commissioned a number of studies of special environmental problems, and I intend to commission others when they are needed to guide decision making. In exercising his new responsibility my noble Friend the Minister of State will be able to advise on any further measures that may be needed to achieve a proper balance between development and conservation.
§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider issuing a quarterly economic bulletin on the effect of North Sea oil on the Scottish economy.
§ Mr. Gordon CampbellThe Scottish Economic Bulletin is normally published twice yearly. The effect of North Sea oil developments upon the Scottish economy will be covered in it as appropriate.