HC Deb 31 July 1997 vol 299 cc454-5W
Ms Walley

ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the time scale is for reporting the findings of the joint Treasury/Inland Revenue/DTI review of the North sea taxation regime announced in the Budget. [11519]

Mr. Geoffrey Robinson

I refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for Gordon (Mr. Bruce) on 28 July 1997,Official Report, column 15.

Ms Walley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the last review of the North sea taxation regime was carried out; and if he will make a statement. [11520]

Mr. Robinson

That is a matter for the previous Government. The last time that a significant set of changes were made to the North sea fiscal regime was in March 1993.

Ms Walley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to consult independent organisations in the review of North sea taxation announced in the Budget. [11522]

Mr. Robinson

Interested parties are being given an opportunity to put forward their views. Officials have written to a number of representative bodies to that end.

Ms Walley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what ways he plans to consult the offshore oil and gas industry during the current review of the North sea taxation regime. [11521]

Mr. Robinson

Interested parties are being given the opportunity to put forward their views. Officials have written to a number of representative bodies to that end.

Ms Walley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which companies or individuals have contributed their views to the review of North sea taxation announced in the Budget. [11523]

Mr. Robinson

The review was announced on 2 July, some four weeks ago. I understand that no interested parties have chosen to make their detailed views known as yet.

Ms Walley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which individuals or companies are being asked to contribute expert studies to the current review of North sea taxation. [11524]

Mr. Robinson

Interested parties are being given the opportunity to put forward their views. Officials have written to a number of representative bodies to that end. We have also asked the advice of an academic on certain specific issues. The review will take the views of commentators into consideration.

Ms Walley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps are being taken to consider the environmental implications of any changes to the North sea taxation regime as part of the review announced in the Budget. [11525]

Mr. Robinson

As has been made clear on numerous occasions, concern for the environment is at the heart of all Government policy making.