§ Mr. Eggarasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many additional people his Department intends to recruit as a direct result of his decision to reduce British National Oil Corporation's advisory role; and how many have been so recruited since 3 May.
§ Mr. GrayAn additional 35 posts will be required of which 17 will be petroleum specialists, 10 engineering grades and 8 administrative support staff.
A number of vacancies for petroleum specialists existed before the decision to reduce BNOC's advisory role was announced and the additional requirement has added impetus to the recruitment programme. Since the beginning of May,
264Wscheme, since my Department does not keep records of Service widows who do not receive pensions, but I believe that up to about 30,000 might be eligible. I am, therefore, starting an intensive advertising campaign to tell people of the new scheme, and to invite those who believe they are eligible to apply for a pension. I must, however, say that the process of verifying applications may take a little while, and that, particularly if large numbers of applications are made in a short period, it may not be possible to put all into payment immediately. But, nevertheless, entitlement will be from 12 November, or the date of the husband's death, if later.