§ 41. Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many oil rigs have been engaged in operations in the North Sea for each of the past five years; and what is the likely trend for the ensuing 12 months.
§ Mr. John SmithThe average number of mobile drilling rigs operating in the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea is given in the annual Brown Book. The figures for the last five years are: 1971, 5.2; 1972, 8.8; 1973, 13.3; 1974, 24.5; 1975, 27.7. A forecast for 1976 will be given in this year's Brown Book which will be published in the spring.