asked the Secretary of State for Energy when the Hunterston oil platform building site was first available for orders; and whether any order has in fact been received to date to offset the heavy Government investment.

The Hunterston site was completed to the point of being able to accept an order in July 1976. No order has been received yet. Government assistance is by way of guarantees to the Clydesdale Bank and so far the call on public funds has been limited to Government consultancy and administrative costs.