§ 14. Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his liaison role in respect of the future of oil fabrication in the highlands and islands. [101232]
§ Mr. WilsonI am, of course, extremely concerned about the impact of the job losses announced by Barmac, which I recently visited at the request of my hon. Friend, and the situation faced by all UK oil fabrication yards. These are issues being addressed by the Oil and Gas Industries Task Force, of which I am a member. As agreed at its meeting on 1 December, plans are already under128W way for a group to meet as soon as possible to clarify how they can together best help the industry adapt to the changes in the market.
§ 16. Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions he has held with the oil industry on the future of North sea oil fabrication contracts; and if he will make a statement. [101234]
§ Mr. WilsonI am a member of the Oil and Gas Industries Task Force, which includes industry representatives. The Task Force last met on 1 December. I also met representatives of the management and unions at Barmac last week.
I also refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply I have just given to my hon. Friend the Member for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber (Mr. Stewart).
§ 23. Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive and the Treasury regarding future assistance for fabrication yards in the north of Scotland. [101241]
§ Mr. WilsonI am a member of the Oil and Gas Industries Task Force which includes representatives from industry, trade unions, Government and the Scottish Executive. The Task Force is considering the issues being faced by all UK oil fabrication yards. I have recently visited the Barmac yard at Ardersier where I had useful discussions with the management and trade unions, along with Ministers from the Scottish Executive.