§ 50. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Energy for what reasons, other than concern about the effect on the public sector borrowing requirement, he refused permission in December 1980 to allow the British National Oil Corporation to develop the Clyde oilfield.
§ Mr. GrayThe decision announced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Guildford (Mr. Howell) on 18 December last was not to refuse permission for Clyde development, but to ensure that first production from the field would be deferred by two years to 1987 in furtherance of our announced depletion policy. It took into account: all relevant factors, including representations made by the licensees and the needs of the offshore supplies industry.