Oil and Gas
Industry
(Harrow East) (Con)
6. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State
for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the Government’s
role in supporting the oil and gas industry. [901673]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland
()
I regularly discuss with the ministerial team from the Department
for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy matters of
importance to Scotland, including the significant support that
the UK Government provide to the oil and gas industry. As I said
earlier, I have been communicating with stakeholders across
Scotland, one of which is Oil & Gas UK. I spoke to it last
week to ensure that the industry is informed of current
arrangements, and to ensure that the Government understand the
impact of those arrangements on the industry and can support it
wherever possible.
Clearly the future of the oil and gas industry in the North sea
is of the utmost importance to the UK economy, and the industry
will need a long-term view. What measures can my hon. Friend
introduce to ensure that the industry is protected and enhanced
as we move towards a carbon neutral future?
I wholeheartedly agree with my hon. Friend’s assessment. It is
crucial to continue to support the oil and gas industry in the
transition to net zero. That is reflected in our manifesto
commitment to working with the sector on a transformational
sector deal. The oil and gas sector is already assessing what
could form part of this deal through its “Roadmap 2035”, which
addresses how the industry can be part of the solution to the
challenges that the transition to a net zero economy will bring.
(Orkney and Shetland) (LD)
I ask the Minister to speak with some urgency to Oil & Gas UK
about the situation of offshore workers. In the last week or so,
I have received representations from constituents who are
offshore, who have had their crew change delayed and so have to
work extra weeks. Some are concerned that going offshore may take
them into an environment in which they are not properly
protected. Can he assure us that while offshore workers may well
be out of sight, they will not be out of mind?
I absolutely agree with the right hon. Gentleman. Offshore
workers may be out of sight, but they are not out of mind for him
as a constituency Member, for me as a Minister in the Scotland
Office, or for the Secretary of State. This issue has been raised
with me by others in the Aberdeen area. Last week, I discussed
this and other matters with Oil & Gas UK, and we have a call
later this week to discuss this further. I will reference the
right hon. Gentleman’s remarks to them, and will perhaps get back
to him after that further discussion.
(Rother Valley) (Con)
Will my hon. Friend update the House on what discussions he has
had with the Business Secretary regarding the latter’s role as
president of COP26 in Glasgow? Does my hon. Friend believe that
this vital conference will promote the UK as a world leader in
tackling climate change, and that we must ensure that it goes
ahead after coronavirus ends?
Understandably, all the efforts of this Government, and
Governments around the world, are focused on tackling the
coronavirus outbreak, but we look forward to welcoming leaders
from around the globe—in November, hopefully—to discuss this
emergency, and to hear the concerns and solutions of Governments
across the world. Glasgow will be a hub for these discussions,
not just in the 11 days of COP26 in November, but in the period
leading up to it, and after it.
