§ Mr. Brewisasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will formulate plans to ensure that maximum facilities are provided at the earliest opportunity for the construction of concrete platforms for oil rigs at suitable deep-water sites on the Scottish coast for use in the development of North Sea oil resources.
§ Mr. VarleyIn planning the provision in Scotland of deep-water construction sites for concrete oil production platforms it is necessary to take account of the environmental and social factors involved and this is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland. I am, however, conscious of the need for a supply of these platforms if we are fully to exploit our North Sea oil resources and I am reviewing the matter.