Oil Exploration

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Energy – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 28 January 1991.

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Photo of Mr Colin Moynihan Mr Colin Moynihan , Lewisham East 12:00, 28 January 1991

First, we were not net importers in cash terms. Secondly, as I have already told the hon. Gentleman—I am surprised that he did not take the point in my response to his last question—safety considerations had to lead to shutdowns and to working conditions for production that were less than optimal for maximum recovery. An example is the present need to handle dead rather than live crude. It was vital that Lord Cullen's recommendations be implemented as matter of urgency, and that the all-party agreement on topside valves be put in place, even if that meant that production would not reach the levels that the hon. Gentleman would have liked. I am surprised that he does not know the answer to his own question.