§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether his Department or the Offshore Supplies Office has commissioned any inquiry into labour and community relations affecting oil production platform sites;
(2) what representations he or the Offshore Supplies Office has received regarding labour and community relations affecting oil production platform sites;
(3) what discussions his Department has had regarding labour and community relations affecting oil production platform sites;
(4) what action his Department or the Offshore Supplies Office has taken to improve labour and community relations affecting oil production platform sites.
§ Mr. John SmithLabour and community relations affecting oil production platform sites are essentially matters for the Department of Employment and the Scottish Office. Employers and the unions concerned have the first responsibility for labour relations, and to help 29W them on such matters they can call for assistance from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS). A one-year research project, recently commissioned by the Scottish Office from the University of Aberdeen, is examining the changing demands upon social services in selected oil-affected communities. Full account is of course taken of the impact of developments on local communities in the consideration of planning applications and in the provision of infrastructure. The Offshore Supplies Office maintains close contact with the Department of Employment, the ACAS and the Scottish Office.