§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will adopt as a criterion for allocation of licences in the Scottish sector of the North Sea the number of jobs and enterprises offered by the aspirant licensee in Scotland.
§ Mr. GrayI would not expect to differentiate on the basis suggested by the hon. Member. In taking the final decisions on the licensing arrangements it will be my aim to maximise the benefit to the nation as a whole.