§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Industry how many oil rigs are currently being produced in the United Kingdom yards; and what is the capacity of British manufacturers compared with those in other Community countries and Scandinavia.
§ Mr. John SmithI have been asked to reply.
There are seven major oil production platform structures under construction in the United Kingdom.
When the facilities being developed at Portavadie and Hunterston are ready the United Kingdom capacity for platform manufacture is estimated to be between two and three concrete platforms and between two and three steel platforms per year.
In other Community countries there are four production yards with an estimated total capacity of about two steel platforms per year and one concrete platform every two years. In Scandinavia there are three yards with an approximate combined capacity of two concrete platforms per year.