§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he intends his powers under Clauses 1(2) and (3)(1)(a) and (b) of the Energy Bill to control import prices of crude oil to apply to crude oil imported from the Middle East; and how this is expected to operate.
§ Mr. John SmithClause 1(2) of the Energy Bill does not give the Secretary of State power to control import prices of crude oil, since the supplier in such cases would be outside United Kingdom jurisdiction.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the crude oil produced by the British National Oil Corporation will be subject to control over use and price under the Energy Bill; and what steps he intends to take to ensure that private companies are not discriminated against.
§ Mr. John SmithThe powers to control use and to regulate price will apply to crude oil produced by BNOC. There is no intention to discriminate as between BNOC and oil companies. The powers to regulate the price of crude will be exercisable only when an Order in Council under 3(1) is in force.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy how his proposals in the Energy Bill for his permanent control over oil prices are expected to affect the obligations of the British National Oil Corporation to pay market prices for option oil.
§ Mr. John SmithThe proposed permanent powers to regulate oil prices576W extend only to petroleum products and not to crude oil.