I have been asked to reply.
The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated February 2009:
As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what assessment has been made of the contribution to the UK balance of payments of the UK oil and gas sector. (255150).
Exports of energy products (including oil, gas, electricity and coal) were £24.7 billion in 2007 compared with total exports of goods of £220.7 billion. In the first 11 months of 2008, exports of energy products were £32.8 billion compared with total exports of goods of £230.8 billion. Imports of energy products were £31.9 billion in 2007 compared with total imports of £310.0 billion. In the first 11 months of 2008, imports of energy products were £44.8 billion compared with total imports of goods of £317.0 billion.
Earnings on direct investment abroad (credits) by oil and gas (extraction and production) companies were £14.9 billion in 2007 out of a total for all industries of £89.9 billion. Earnings on direct investment in oil and gas (extraction and production) companies in the UK (debits) were £10.0 billion in 2007 out of a total for all industries of £44.8 billion.