§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the organisation of his Department's research and development programmes in the field of offshore oil and gas technology.
§ Mr. VarleyI have reviewed the organisation of the Department's research and development activities related to offshore oil and gas. At present this R and D forms part of the programme controlled by the Ship and Marine Technology Requirements Board (SMTRB) which also has much broader responsibilities. The SMTRB has been in existence now for just over two years and in that time has made a substantial contribution to improving the effectiveness of the Government's R and D expenditure within its field of responsibility. However, the creation of the Department of Energy since the board was established and the increasing importance of offshore oil and gas to the whole economy have led me to conclude that some changes in the organisation are necessary. Account has been taken of the proposals contained in the report of the Select Committee on Science and Technology on offshore engineering.
The Government have decided to transfer from the SMTRB the responsibility for R and D in the field of offshore oil and gas technology with effect from 6th May 1975. The SMTRB's r rôle in this area will be taken over by a new advisory board—the Offshore Energy Technology Board (OETB), to be established by my Department. The OETB will advise me on R and D directed towards both ensuring the safety and efficiency of offshore operations and improving the competitive position of British industry in the offshore 428W field. The board will be chaired by Dr. Marshall, the Department's Chief Scientist, who will be personally responsible for ensuring, in the light of the advice of the OETB, that the right R and D work is carried out to support the Department's total efforts in the offshore field.
Close co-ordination with the continuing activities of the SMTRB will be necessary, and this will be achieved by cross-membership of both boards. In particular, I am glad to say that Mr. Nigel Broackes, the Chairman of the SMTRB, has accepted my invitation to become Deputy Chairman of the new board.
These new arrangements will enable us to call upon the best possible industrial advice in reaching decisions in this important field. To supplement the Department's resources it has been decided to draw upon the expertise already available at Harwell and elsewhere in the Atomic Energy Authority. In particular, the remit of the Marine Technology Support Unit will be broadened to enable it to play an active rôle in supporting the OETB.
The board's membership is as follows:
Chairman
Dr. W. Marshall—Chief Scientist, Department of Energy.
Deputy Chairman:
Mr. N. Broackes—Chairman, Trafalgar House Investments Ltd.
Members:
Mr. M. M. Pennell, CBE—British Petroleum.
Mr. P. B. Baxendell, CBE—Shell.
Mr. D. E. Rooke, CBE—British Gas.
Mr. R. J. F. Taylor—Ocean Transport and Trading Ltd.
Professor T. D. Patten—Heriot-Watt University.
Mr. G. Williams. OBE—United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association.
Mr. R. S. Taylor—Taylor Woodrow Construction Limited.
Dr. L. E. J. Roberts—Harwell.
Mr. J. P. Gibson—Department of Energy.
Mr. G. F. Kear—Department of Energy.
Mr. B. W. Oakley—Department of Industry.
Mr. B. W. Lythall, CB—Ministry of Defence.
Mr. D. Maclver Robinson, OBE—Department of Trade.