§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what Government tax subsidy was being allowed to the Shell UK company in respect of the sinking of the Brent Spar oil platform; whether it will still be eligible if the platform is broken up on land; whether this tax subsidy will be available to other oil companies when they wish to dispose of their offshore oil rig platforms; and if he will make a statement. [31500]
§ Sir George YoungAs with all other taxpayers, the tax affairs of Shell UK Ltd. are confidential between it and the Inland Revenue. Companies operating in the North sea can claim relief against petroleum revenue tax and corporation tax on the cost of decommissioning their offshore oil installations. In the case of Brent Spar, Shell has already announced publicly that it will forgo the tax relief on any additional cost if onshore disposal were to proceed.