§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of oil fabrication in the Highlands and Islands. [101436]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 6 December 1999]I am concerned at the situation faced by Barmac and the other UK offshore oil fabrication yards.
The difficulties facing the UK offshore oil fabrication industry were discussed fully at last week's Oil and Gas Industry Task Force, which I chair. As a result plans are already under way for DTI to co-ordinate and support a powerful group comprising Government, Scottish Executive and all of the relevant Departments and agencies throughout the UK. This group will meet as soon as possible to clarify how they can together best help the industry adapt to the changed demand for their products and solutions.