Oil and Gas: UK Continental Shelf Debate

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Department: Wales Office

Oil and Gas: UK Continental Shelf

Lord St John of Bletso Excerpts
Tuesday 9th February 2016

(8 years, 9 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Portrait Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
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My Lords, the noble Lord is right that the fall in oil prices is an international problem. He will be aware that there was fiscal reform in the 2015 Budget, with a £1.3 billion injection of extra help over five years through tax cuts. As I have said, the Chancellor will look at representations that have been made to him.

Lord St John of Bletso Portrait Lord St John of Bletso (CB)
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My Lords, are the Government considering a direct subsidy of development capex for exploration and production companies on the UK continental shelf, such as is given to similar companies in Norway?

Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth Portrait Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
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My Lords, the package that the Prime Minister announced on 28 January includes £20 million of new investment in seismic exploration. This will be of assistance, together with the City Deal package for Aberdeen which includes a new innovation energy centre. I hope that the noble Lord will welcome it.