HC Deb 30 June 1981 vol 7 c319W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will sell British Gas Corporation oilfields at market prices to third party purchasers or assign them to the British National Oil Corporation at valuation comparable to that which covered the transfer of the National Coal Board North Sea assets to the corporation several years earlier.

Mr. Gray

The Government are still considering the future of the British Gas Corporation's offshore oil interests. With regard to its interests in onshore fields, I have laid a draft direction under section 7(2) of the Gas Act 1972 before Parliament which would require the corporation to dispose of its 50 per cent, share in the Wytch Farm licence.