Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Andrew Bowie and Lord Harrington of Watford

Tuesday 13th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bowie (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (Con)]

5. What progress has been made on a sector deal for the oil and gas industry.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (Richard Harrington)]

The Government remain committed to supporting the industry and building on the £2.3 billion package announced in recent Budgets. My right hon. Friend the Minister for Energy and Clean Growth greatly enjoyed her recent visit to Aberdeen—as did I, when I visited—when the industry presented its initial proposals for a deal. My right hon. Friend is meeting the sector deal champion, Trevor Garlick, tomorrow.

[Andrew Bowie]

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. The oil and gas industry based in the north-east of Scotland has contributed over £330 billion to the economy, supports over 330,000 jobs across the United Kingdom and has a supply chain worth nearly £30 billion. With an estimated 20 million barrels of oil still to get out of the North sea, the industry has huge potential to drive this country’s growth, but of course there is still uncertainty, so I know that the Minister will welcome the response—

[Andrew Bowie]

Will the Minister pledge to work continually with the industry to develop and deliver the sector deal?

[Richard Harrington]

Yes.