§ 29. Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action he proposes on the supply boat problem he identifies in the final paragraph of page 9 of the North Sea oil issue of the Scottish Economic Bulletin.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe bulletin identifies an opportunity rather than a problem. Scottish shipbuilders already82W benefit from various forms of Government assistance and should be able to take advantage of the current demand for supply vessels.
§ 30. Mr. Lambieasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the plans his Department is making for the establishment of adequate refining capacity in Scotland to refine the estimated production of 100 million tons of North Sea oil in 1980.
§ Mr. EmeryOur estimate was that production would probably fall within the range of 70 million to 100 million tons. Decisions on whether to build new refineries or to expand existing plant are for the commercial judgment of individual companies. However, scheduled capacity in the United Kingdom is at present some 120 million tons and it is our policy to encourage home refining, particularly in the assisted areas, including Scotland.
§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of areas licensed for hydrocarbon exploration in the Scottish North Sea Continental Shelf have been allocated to companies registered in Scotland.
§ Mr. EmeryAt present nine companies registered in Scotland have interests in the licences covering 44 blocks in the Continental Shelf off the Scottish coast.