§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) if he will take steps to increase the Scottish proportion of contracts for oil and gas well testing and completion arising from operations in the northern basin of the North Sea;
(2) what was the value of oil and gas well testing and completion contracts awarded in the northern basin of the North Sea in each year from 1970 to 1974;
(3) what proportions of oil and gas operations in the northern basin of the 500W North Sea relating to the testing and completion of wells went to Scottish, English and other companies, including overseas companies, in each year from 1970 to 1974.
§ Mr. John SmithRecords in the form of commodity categories have been established in the Offshore Supplies Office only since the beginning of 1974 and only for United Kingdom industry as a whole. Drilling and completion of wells are included under the general category "Drilling Tools and Equipment" and the value and United Kingdom share of this sector of the offshore market for 1974 will be provided in the abstract of the quarterly returns from the operating companies which will be placed in the Library in the very near future. The effort of the Offshore Supplies Office is directed to promoting the opportunities for British firms to supply the offshore oil and gas market. It was in recognition of the particular importance of the market for Scottish firms that the headquarters of the office was moved to Glasgow last year. The full range of regional assistance under the Industry Act is available to firms in the assisted areas.