Rosebank Oil Field
Lord Bridges of Headley Excerpts(1 week, 5 days ago)
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Baroness Curran (Lab)
I answer the noble Lord with some degree of trepidation, because I know of his great expertise in this matter. My understanding is, and I have been told categorically by officials, that it is quasi-judicial because, given the range of factors that the Secretary of State has to take into account on this, it could be opened up to a court challenge. I am happy to further explore this matter so that in future I give a more adequate legal answer to the noble Lord.
Lord Bridges of Headley (Con)
My Lords, I ask a very simple question of the Minister. Given what my noble friend Lord Moynihan said about what the OBR has stated, can she confirm therefore that if Rosebank does not go ahead, the Government’s fiscal headroom will be much reduced?
Baroness Curran (Lab)
The OBR will have to republish the figures if Rosebank does not go ahead, and that will need to be addressed.