§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are (a) the number of offers made, (b) the total number accepted, (c) the value of such offers and (d) the total payments made up to 31 January under the offshore supplies interest relief grant scheme.
§ Dr. MabonThe Department of Energy does not make prior offers of assistance under the offshore supplies interest relief grant scheme. Grants are paid to companies, developing oil and gas resources on the United Kingdom sector of the continental shelf, which raise credit to finance contracts of not less than £100,000 for fixed offshore installations, equipment, goods or services. The amount of grant depends on a number of factors including the phasing of payments to contractors and the matching of borrowing by the companies to such payments.
The information requested is as follows:
Number of contracts registered under the scheme 935 £ Million Total value of commitment to pay grant—up to 31 December 1978 128 Total value of payments of grant made—up to 31 January 1979 27