§ Mr. Viggersasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there have been any changes in policy on the tax treatment of the costs of abandonment of offshore oil and gas platforms since the written answer to the hon. Member for Gosport on 23 February 1979, particularly in the light of the discussions then referred to and of the introduction for supplementary petroleum duty.
§ Mr. RidleyNo. Discussions between my officials and the industry have suggested that some technical problems might conceivably arise from the detailed application of the existing provisions of tax relief against costs of abandonment. But any difficulties in practice are not likely to arise for many years to come, and I do not think that the industry generally attaches any immediate priority to remedial action.