Government in warning to SNP on oil

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Scotland Office minister David Cairns will tell an industry conference that the UK Government has "no intention" of devolving control over oil and gas to Holyrood.

"The interests of both Scotland and the UK are best served through continued economic union and the benefits which accompany a UK-wide approach," Mr Cairns will say.

"Our thinking on this issue is therefore unequivocal - introducing needless uncertainty into an £11 billion industry which supports half a million jobs is not an option for the UK Government."

Before the Holyrood election, the SNP pledged to make it an early priority to begin discussions with Westminster on "options for the transfer of responsibility for our oil and gas resources to the Scottish Parliament".

In his report on the SNP's first 100 days in power, First Minister Alex Salmond said meetings were being sought - and that his administration was also investigating the arrangements Northern Ireland has on energy powers.

Mr Cairns' warning, in a speech to be delivered to the Offshore Europe conference in Aberdeen, comes as figures suggest North Sea oil and gas production is continuing to fall.

The monthly Royal Bank of Scotland oil index puts the average daily output of oil in June at 1.263 million barrels worth £45.3 million a day, or 6% down on the previous month.

Although some of the decrease is for seasonal reasons, including summer maintenance shutdowns, the figure for oil alone is down 11.4% on June last year.

Mr Cairns will tell the Aberdeen conference that North Sea oil is a UK resource.