§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will estimate the offshore oil platform market between 1982 and 1984 together with associated variations in employment levels.
§ Mr. GrayThree projects are at present underway: Morecambe Bay, Rough and Beatrice B. Orders have already been placed for some structures for these fields and others should follow later this year. The Department is also currently in discussion with the licencees of the North Alwyn and Clyde developments. We anticipate that the licensees will submit these projects for approval shortly and consequent orders should fall before the end of 1984.
Development programmes for a number of other oil and gas fields on the United Kingdom continental shelf are under discussion between licensees and my Department and further developments could be submitted before the end of 1983.
Future employment levels cannot be estimated on the basis of these prospects because employment will depend on which yards win orders and on the work content in the order.