§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made towards setting up a tripartite committee for the offshore oil industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John SmithMy right hon. Friend has set up a committee which will meet for the first time tomorrow to consider the problems of the United Kingdom offshore industry having regard particularly to the desirability of securing continuity of employment within the industry. The terms of reference are sufficiently broad as to allow the committee to examine in depth such problems as might be raised by any member of the committee, or outside source, and to monitor any action recommended. The committee is expected to give its early attention to the problems arising as a result of the hiatus in oil platform ordering.
The membership of the committee is as follows: @
Chairman:Mr. J. Smith, Minister of State for Energy.Members:Mr. G. Williams, Director General, United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association Ltd.Mr. W. E. Bell, President, United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association Ltd.Mr. P. Cole, Director, John Howard & Co. Ltd., representing the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors.Mr. J. C. A. Crawford, Motherwell Bridge Engineering, representing the Process Plant Association and British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd.Mr. A. Muir, RDL (North Sea) representing the Jacket Club (Steel Platform manufacturers).Mr. J. Milne, General Secretary, Scottish Trades Union Congress.Mr. J. Hanna, Trades Union Congress.Mr. J. Baldwin, General Secretary, AUEW (Construction).Mr. T. McCalmont, TGWU, Construction Trades Co-ordinating Officer.Mr. G. Laird, AUEW (Engineering), Executive Council AUEW.Mr. J. P. Gibson, Director General, Offshore Supplies Office, Department of Energy.Dr. R. G. L. McCrone, Scottish Office.Mr. F. C. Hayes, Training Services Agency, nominated by the Manpower Services Commission.Mr. A. D. Reddrop, National Economic Development Office.