§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the specific directives given by him to the British National Oil Corporation in the past year.
§ Mr. GrayIn the past year I have given four directions to the British National Oil Corporation:
- (i) on 7 July 1982, under section 4(1) of the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975 and section 3(1) of the Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act 1982, to make and submit for my approval a scheme and related agreements to transfer the equity oil part of BNOC's undertaking to Britoil and to secure that Britoil increased its capital accordingly.
- (ii) on 29 July 1982, under section 4(1) of the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975, not to make payments to, or guarantee any liabilities of Britoil or otherwise discharge Britoil's liabilities without my consent, unless under agreements entered into in accordance with the above scheme or in connection with the forward oil purchase agreement dated 16 June 1977.
- (iii) on 28 September 1982, under section 4(1) of the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975, concerning the exercise of its right under joint operating agreements to attend operating committee meetings and receive information.
- (iv) on 1 November 1982, under section 4(1) of the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975, to cancel the direction issued on 29 July 1982.