§ 7. Gregory BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the prospects for the North Sea oil and gas sector.[106719]
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§ 8. Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will make a statement on the prospects for the Scottish economy related to the North Sea oil and gas sector. [106720]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe Government are committed to maintaining an active and successful oil and gas industry in the UK, and to promoting future development of the nation-1/2s oil and gas reserves. The sector is, and will remain, important to the wider UK economy in terms of jobs, investment and its contribution to national income. The Government are working with the industry—notably through the PILOT initiative—to encourage investment in both existing and new fields.