§ 7. Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what new steps he is taking to promote increased activity by oil companies in the North sea.
§ Mr. ParkinsonThe licensing and fiscal arrangements for companies wishing to develop the resources of the United Kingdom continental shelf have encouraged a very high level of activity in recent years. Whilst activity fell as a result of the oil price collapse in 1986, it has since recovered strongly, which is further evidence of the success of the Government's approach to the North sea.