HC Deb 28 April 1978 vol 948 cc718-9W
Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what share of tonnage of special and tubular steel, other than submarine pipelines, has been taken up by the British Steel Corporation in Scotland, England and Wales, respectively, in relation to the offshore oil and gas developments.

Mr. Les Huckfield

In 1977, I understand the Corporation supplied over 75 per cent. of the tonnage of tubular steels—other than submarine pipelines—used in the United Kingdom area of the North Sea and has supplied over 85 per cent. of the requirement for well casing tubes. BSC is also supplying more than 80 per cent. of the high strength plate required for the three major platform contracts placed during the year. Detailed information in the form requested is not available, but the great bulk of both the tubes and the high strength plate is produced in Scotland.