§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the membership of the Government task force on the tax and employment aspects of North Sea oilfield decommissioning; when the task force began its work; and when it will report. [111350]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 22 February 2000]: The Government have not set up a task force on North Sea oilfield decommissioning. However, the oil and gas 51W industry has set up a North Sea Decommissioning Group to take forward a range of industry cooperation and other issues which emerged from the conclusions of a number of workgroups set up by the Oil and Gas Industry Task Force which reported in September 1999. The Decommissioning Group's membership, which comprises representatives from a number of industry bodies including the UK Offshore Operators Association and the Oil and Gas Producers Association, includes representation from my Department. No deadline has been set for the Group to complete its work. General matters of taxation and employment are being considered by workgroups within PILOT (the second phase of the Oil and Gas Industry Task Force) which will continue to meet during the year. More information about the ongoing work of PILOT can be found by accessing the PILOT website at: www.dti.gov.uk/ogitf.