I am rather surprised at the hon. Gentleman's remarks. He will know as well as anyone who knows the industry that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor's statement in September 1998—that, at that time, in view of the low oil prices, he would not proceed with reform of the North sea tax regime—gave the industry what it had long sought: a firm basis on which to plan for the future. As the House is well aware, the changes that we have made to business taxation—the lowering of corporation tax—will help all industry, particularly that in the North sea.