asked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he took counsel's opinion on British National Oil Corporation's forward sale of oil as shown in its 1976 accounts; what, if so, was counsel's opinion; and what was the legal fee involved.

When BNOC's forward sale of oil—as shown in its 1977 accounts—was under negotiation in 1977, the Department of Energy sought advice on legal aspects of the proposed transaction from the Department's legal advisers. It did not seek legal opinions outside the Government service and no legal fee was involved.