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Column 713

operating in the North sea--precisely those most likely to be damaged by over-abrupt change in the tax system. That was the conclusion of our careful review, and it remains so.

I started by stressing the importance of stability in the fiscal regime. We carefully considered all the choices. We believe that this structure is robust for all likely scenarios regarding oil discoveries and oil prices. No doubt the detail of the proposal can be examined in Committee. We shall have plenty of opportunity for such examination. I believe that the structure of this proposal is the result of a serious programme of work. It is one in which the Committee and the industry can have confidence, and I recommend that the amendments be rejected.

Mr. Darling : The Committee can be in no doubt about the Government's position : there are to be no concessions on this measure. The Minister has not even disputed the fact that at least 10,000 jobs will be lost as a result of the Bill. I understand that the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Robertson) is a former Tory party agent. Tonight, he must choose between the interests of the Conservative party and the interests of his constituents. Last night, he voted for an increase in the taxes of his constituents. If he votes with the Government tonight, he will be supporting a measure that will result in many of them losing their jobs. The hon. Gentleman's attitude stands in stark contrast to that of his hon. Friends the Members for Orpington (Mr. Horam) and Kincardine and Deeside (Mr. Kynoch), who at least recognise that there will be transitional problems. But the Government have made it absolutely clear that they are not prepared to meet the legitimate demands of people involved in the industry and those living in communities affected by these proposals, who want some sort of relief. The Government have not disputed the fact that exploration will be affected. It was astounding to hear the Minister pray in aid of this proposal Shell, Esso, Mobil and BP, which, he says, are committed to having no reduction. How can any Government rely on the best intentions of a company, stated just after the announcement of a Budget measure? It is the Government's duty to take into account the interests of the United Kingdom as a whole rather than the interests of a few oil companies. The measure will undoubtedly benefit some oil companies, as we have said during this debate. However, there is a substantial risk that exploration will be exported from the United Kingdom waters to other parts of the world, with the result that the natural resource we have in the North sea and in our Atlantic waters will be lost. There is no dispute about the fact that, because of the traumatic disruption caused by the Chancellor's announcement, jobs will go. The Government have made it absolutely clear that there is to be no transitional relief.

To those Conservative Members who have said in the Chamber today, as well as to their constituents by way of radio and television and the other media, that they are not happy with the Government's position I say that they now have a very clear choice. If they want to support the interests of the North sea oil industry and this country's long-term energy interests, they will have to vote for Labour's amendment. By voting with the Government they will shut the door on any hope for the industry. They have nowhere to hide, and I invite them to join us in the Lobby.

Question put, That the amendment be made :--

The Committee divided : Ayes 253, Noes 289.

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Column 714

Division No. 262] [7.35 pm

AYES

Abbott, Ms Diane

Adams, Mrs Irene

Ainger, Nick

Ainsworth, Robert (Cov'try NE)

Allen, Graham

Alton, David

Anderson, Donald (Swansea E)

Anderson, Ms Janet (Ros'dale)

Armstrong, Hilary

Ashdown, Rt Hon Paddy

Ashton, Joe

Austin-Walker, John

Barnes, Harry

Barron, Kevin

Battle, John

Bayley, Hugh

Beggs, Roy

Beith, Rt Hon A. J.

Bell, Stuart

Benn, Rt Hon Tony

Bennett, Andrew F.

Benton, Joe

Berry, Dr. Roger

Betts, Clive

Blair, Tony

Blunkett, David

Boateng, Paul

Boyce, Jimmy

Boyes, Roland

Bradley, Keith

Brown, Gordon (Dunfermline E)

Brown, N. (N'c'tle upon Tyne E)

Bruce, Malcolm (Gordon)

Burden, Richard

Byers, Stephen

Callaghan, Jim

Campbell, Mrs Anne (C'bridge)

Campbell, Ronnie (Blyth V)

Campbell-Savours, D. N.

Canavan, Dennis

Cann, Jamie

Chisholm, Malcolm

Clark, Dr David (South Shields)

Clarke, Eric (Midlothian)

Clarke, Tom (Monklands W)

Clelland, David

Clwyd, Mrs Ann

Connarty, Michael

Cook, Frank (Stockton N)

Cook, Robin (Livingston)

Corston, Ms Jean

Cousins, Jim

Cryer, Bob

Cunningham, Jim (Covy SE)

Cunningham, Rt Hon Dr John

Dafis, Cynog

Darling, Alistair

Davidson, Ian

Davies, Bryan (Oldham C'tral)

Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (Llanelli)

Davies, Ron (Caerphilly)

Denham, John

Dewar, Donald

Dixon, Don

Dobson, Frank

Donohoe, Brian H.

Dowd, Jim

Dunnachie, Jimmy

Dunwoody, Mrs Gwyneth

Eagle, Ms Angela

Eastham, Ken

Enright, Derek

Etherington, Bill

Evans, John (St Helens N)

Ewing, Mrs Margaret

Fatchett, Derek

Faulds, Andrew

Field, Frank (Birkenhead)

Fisher, Mark

Flynn, Paul

Foster, Rt Hon Derek

Foster, Don (Bath)

Foulkes, George

Fraser, John

Fyfe, Maria

Galbraith, Sam

Gapes, Mike

Garrett, John

Gerrard, Neil

Gilbert, Rt Hon Dr John

Godsiff, Roger

Golding, Mrs Llin

Gordon, Mildred

Gould, Bryan

Graham, Thomas

Grant, Bernie (Tottenham)

Griffiths, Nigel (Edinburgh S)

Griffiths, Win (Bridgend)

Grocott, Bruce

Gunnell, John

Hain, Peter

Hall, Mike

Hanson, David

Harman, Ms Harriet

Harvey, Nick

Henderson, Doug

Heppell, John

Hill, Keith (Streatham)

Hinchliffe, David

Hogg, Norman (Cumbernauld)

Hood, Jimmy

Hoon, Geoffrey

Howarth, George (Knowsley N)

Howells, Dr. Kim (Pontypridd)

Hughes, Kevin (Doncaster N)

Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N)

Hughes, Simon (Southwark)

Hutton, John

Illsley, Eric

Jackson, Glenda (H'stead)

Jackson, Helen (Shef'ld, H)

Jamieson, David

Janner, Greville

Jones, Barry (Alyn and D'side)

Jones, Ieuan Wyn (Ynys Mo n)

Jones, Jon Owen (Cardiff C)

Jones, Lynne (B'ham S O)

Jones, Martyn (Clwyd, SW)

Jones, Nigel (Cheltenham)

Jowell, irkwood, Archy

Leighton, Ron

Lestor, Joan (Eccles)

Lewis, Terry

Livingstone, Ken

Lloyd, Tony (Stretford)

Llwyd, Elfyn

Loyden, Eddie

Lynne, Ms Liz

McAllion, John

McAvoy, Thomas

McCartney, Ian

Macdonald, Calum

McFall, John

McGrady, Eddie

McKelvey, William

Mackinlay, Andrew

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