HC Deb 15 March 1976 vol 907 cc389-90W
Mr. Litterick

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how much has so far been paid in the form of grants and loans in respect of their North Sea operations to each of the oil companies now operating in the North Sea.

Mr. John Smith

Nearly £900,000 has so far been paid in all to offshore operators under the scheme which provides interest relief grants on the provisions of United Kingdom goods and Kingdom; and if he is satisfied that the current construction programme meets the oil development requirements of the United Kingdom.

Mr. John Smith

Seven oil production platforms are currently under construction in the United Kingdom, as follows:

services for fixed installations on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf. Individual figures for each operator are commercially confidential.

In addition regional development grants under the Industry Act 1972 have been made to oil companies by the Department of Industry but it is not possible to determine the extent to which any of these may have assisted the oil companies' North Sea operations.