§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy what degree of price increase the Government estimate will have to be provided for in 1975 to cover the purchase of rigs and production platforms required for the North Sea.
§ Mr. John SmithDrilling rigs are mobile and most of those now in service in the North Sea are expected to be available for operations in that area in 1975. As regards production platforms, in view of the multiplicity of factors involved in their construction it is not possible to forecast the likely trend in costs in 1975. In any event, contract prices for platforms are a commercial matter between the companies and their suppliers.