asked the Minister for Energy the present level of our strategic oil stocks; the quantities held at each location at home and abroad; and the effects on those stock levels of the disposal of one million barrels of oil from the Whiddy oil terminal, which has formed part of those stocks for many years.

I propose to circulate a table containing the statistical part of the answer to this question. The table circulated shows the level recorded for the end of March 1985, the last month for which complete figures are available. These figures exceed our total EC obligation marginally.

In relation to the location of stocks at home, oil companies are not required to supply this information and it is therefore not available. It is not possible to provide the location of stocks held abroad as this would involve disclosing information given in confidence to me.

As regards the second part of the question, it is necessary to distinguish between stocks which are held in compliance with a legal obligation and other stocks. The stocks at Whiddy were maintained under an agreement on which serious doubts as to enforceability existed; the arrangements relating to them were, in fact, unilaterally terminated by Gulf in 1978.

If and when work commences on the Whiddy Island terminal, will the level of our strategic oil stocks be decreased below the accepted limit?

The Deputy is aware of the announcement of the agreement with Gulf Chevron in relation to the new arrangements for Whiddy terminal?

Yes.

We must be concerned here about the facilities we have for stocks both at home and abroad. I am confident that we can maintain our EC obligation in the future under the new arrangements.

Even when the oil moves out of Whiddy?

Even when the oil moves out of Whiddy, because now we have access to two complete tanks on Whiddy Island which we did not have hitherto and of which the Government have complete control free of charge.

Have they not control over the whole lot of them at the moment? Why did they not take out the oil five years ago if they had not? They have control over them and the strategic oil stocks are going to increase as soon as they let them empty the tanks.

The important thing is, as I said, that we fulfil our EC obligations, and we have strengthened our position.