Finance (No. 3) Bill

We have had a very useful debate, in which Members from all parts of the Committee have had the opportunity to express some pretty forceful points of view about the industry, as well as present facts from well informed sources. It is perhaps unfortunate that it is so late, but this still stands on the record as a valuable debate. I thank the Minister for her constructive response and for the information about the Government's detailed engagement. It would be fair to say that the immediate situation after the Budget was that the Government mounted a robust defence of their line against an industry that was shocked at what it heard. Perhaps the first meeting was less than constructive, although it is clear that things are now moving in the right direction. The amendments in my name and that of my hon. Friend the Member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine (Sir Robert Smith) suggest how we might have liked the Government to proceed. We recognise that the die has been cast, although it is important that the Government should continue to engage with the industry to understand the issues of competitiveness, because the oil price is worldwide and the UK has to compete for that investment. It is also important to take on board the fact that although the losses in production and investment might be considered marginal, we are talking about margins on huge sums of money and huge resources. In other words, we are talking about 1 billion to 2 billion barrels of oil-equivalent, which is worth £70 billion to £100 billion, and £20 billion-plus of potential lost investment. It is important that the engagement between the industry and the Government finds solutions that can deliver the revenue that the Government need and are entitled to accept, given the very high prices, as well as delivering to the country the investment in long-term production that it needs. I believe that this debate has made a substantial and useful contribution. I welcome the Minister's response to it, and I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendments made: 11, page 3, line 13, at end insert:"““(4A) But if the basis of apportionment in subsection (4)(b) would work unjustly or unreasonably in the company's case, the company may elect for its profits to be apportioned on another basis that is just and reasonable and specified in the election.””" Amendment 12, page 3, line 16, leave out ““subsection (4)”” and insert ““subsections (4) and (4A)””. Amendment proposed: 10, page 4, line 7, at end add:"““ (11) The Chancellor shall produce, before 30 September 2011, an assessment of the impact of taxation of ring fence profits on business investment and growth including an assessment of the long-term sustainability of oil and gas exploration in the North Sea.””—(Kerry McCarthy.)" Question put, That the amendment be made. The Committee divided: Ayes 27, Noes 253.