§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many supply boats were working from Scottish ports in the Scottish sector of the North Sea in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, respectively, and in 1974 at the last date for which the information is available; and if he will specify the ports concerned and instance the countries of origin of these supply boats.
§ Mr. John SmithThe position changes constantly but it is estimated that 62 supply boats serving oil rigs in the United Kingdom sector of the northern North Sea are currently operating from Scottish ports. Of these, 40 are operating from Aberdeen, 14 from Dundee, four from Peterhead and two each from Montrose and Lerwick. 23 of the vessels are registered in the United Kingdom, eight in Holland, seven each in the USA, Liberia and Panama, five in Norway, three in Germany and one each in Canada and Denmark. Information for earlier years is not available.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many supply boats were working from ports other than in Scotland, in the Scottish sector of the North Sea, in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, respectively, and in 1974 at the last date for which information is available; and if he will specify the ports concerned and instance the countries of origin of such supply boats.
§ Mr. John SmithAt present, I understand that no supply boats serving oil rigs in the United Kingdom sector of the northern North Sea are operating regularly from ports other than in Scotland.
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§ Mr. EadieThe following data relate to the year 1973. I regret that comparable quarterly data are not readily available.
Information for earlier years is not available.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy what steps are being taken by his Department to increase the proportion of supply boats registered in the United Kingdom serving offshore development work in the Scottish sector of the North Sea; what effect such actions have so far had; and if he will bring forward proposals to ensure that foreign-registered boats are not redeployed from Scottish ports to ports outside the United Kingdom in order to escape the consequences and cost of registration within the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. John SmithMy Department is continuing its efforts to encourage British firms to increase their participation in support of the North Sea oil industry. However, the Government believe that ships of all flags should be able to compete freely for trade. This policy is applied even to coastal trade and this includes serving United Kingdom oil rigs. The Government have no power to prevent foreign-registered ships from seeking employment anywhere.