§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the current status of the platform building yard at Portavadie, including any recent changes in land ownership, details of any public expenditure in the last two years and any future plans for the site.
§ Mr. Allan StewartMy right hon. Friend announced on 24 May 1982 that the Portavadie yard was no longer needed for the purposes of the Offshore Petroleum Development (Scotland) Act 1975 and on 17 November 1982 he announced proposals for reinstatement of the yard on which work is due to commence shortly. There have been no recent changes in the ownership of the yard, but my right hon. Friend is examining ways of disposing of the yard once reinstatement has been completed. Current expenditure, other than administration costs, on maintenance, rentals and reinstatement of the yard was £111,146 in 1981–82 and £129,888 in 1982–83 to date, and capital expenditure was £10,000 in 1981–82 and nil in 1982–83 to date.