§ Mr. Formanasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will set out in tabular form the various amounts of financial support for the coal industry in the United Kingdom in each of the years from 1973 to the latest available date; if he will publish a breakdown of the figures according to the different purposes within the industry to which the money was allocated; and if he will provide comparable figures for each of the other eight member States of the EEC.
§ Mr. EadieFor the period since 1973 financial support for the coal industry in the United Kingdom has been:
been made in participation negotiations with companies involved in North Sea oil development.
§ Dr. Mabon, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 9th March 1978; Vol. 945, c. 771], gave the following further information:
I have signed today fully termed participation agreements with the British National Oil Corporation, Murphy Petroleum Limited and Ocean Exploration Co. Limited.
The agreements cover Murphy and Ocean's share of Ninian production with Murphy and Ocean having certain rights to retain oil. BNOC has the right to purchase 51 per cent. of Murphy and Ocean's natural gas liquids on a long-term commercial basis.
123WThere will be full consultations on a regular basis between Her Majesty's Government, advised by BNOC under Section 3(3) of the Petroleum and Submarine Pipelines Act 1975, and Murphy or Ocean on all matters of concern to either party. BNOC obtains an effective voice and a significant unfettered vote in respect of Murphy and Ocean's interest in the Ninian project, the voting arrangements being secured through a separate agreement with the Ninian partners.
The agreements announced today implement the memorandum of principles between the parties announced on 9th February 1977.