§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Lord Privy Seal what steps the Government have taken to enforce their policy that neither British oil nor Norwegian oil from the North Sea landed at British ports is supplied to South Africa.
§ Sir Ian GilmourThe Government have made clear to companies exporting North Sea crude that they expect them to do so in the markets of our International Energy Agency and European Community partners or where there is an existing pattern of trade. The oil companies are well aware that the Government attach considerable importance to this matter and we would not expect them to ignore our policy. The disposal of oil lifted in the Norwegian sector of the North Sea is primarily a matter for the Norwegian Government.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Lord Privy Seal what are the arrangements made by British oil companies whereby North Sea oil has been swapped for other oil supplied to South Africa.
§ Sir Ian GilmourAny such arrangements would be a matter for the companies concerned. From contacts with the major British oil companies, we believe that instances of such arrangements have been very rare.