HC Deb 22 January 1981 vol 997 cc214-5W
Mr. Rowlands

asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether, for 1981, he will list the countries to which United Kingdom oil was exported; what quantities went to each country; what percentage of total United Kingdom production went in exports; and what percentage went to the European Economic Community and what to countries represented in the International Energy Agency.

Mr. Gray

Figures of exports for the full year 1980 are not yet available, but provisional figures covering the period January to November 1980 are tabulated below. In this 11 month period, 50 per cent. of total United Kingdom production was exported; 64 per cent. of total exports went to the European Community—excluding Greece—and. 90 per cent. to the countries represented in the International Energy Agency.

Exports of UKCS Crude oil in period January to November 1980
(Provisional)
(Thousands of tonnes)
Denmark 2,036
France 2,837
Belgium 55
Italy 208
Germany FR 10,236
Netherlands 7,289
United States 7,557
Finland 484
Sweden 2,714
Norway 1,173
Canada 346
Greece 70
Switzerland 93
Austria 55
Other 169
TOTAL 35,322

Note: Some of the exports to the Netherlands may have been for transit to neighbouring countries or for re-export.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Energy to what extent British exports of oil and oil products are affected by membership of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Gray

The Government have made it clear that they expect those countries exporting North Sea oil to do so in the markets of our IEA and EC partners except where there is an existing pattern of trade. On relations between the level of oil exports and Membership of the European Community I have nothing to add to the reply of 16 December provided to the hon. Member for Northampton, North (Mr. Marlow) by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.