§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the effect on the economy during the comings months of the import of offshore oil platforms.
§ Mr. ShoreAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy stated a number of oil production platforms constructed abroad will be installed in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea this year. The value of these platforms, and related equipment, will be included in the import statistics as they arrive. In the longer term, substantial benefits will accrue as North Sea oil becomes available. The first platform—Beryl A—arrived last month and will be included in the import figures for July, which will be published on 14th August.