Because

(a) we consume 1.5mbd and produce less than half that. Increasing production in the NS will never make up the difference (they are declining fields). So we are reliant on global markets no matter what we choose to do re the NS.

(b) regarding what *is* produced in the NS, are you going to force the private companies who invest there and produce there to sell what they produce in the UK, at a price determined by His Majesty's government, rather than what they can get elsewhere? Why would they do that?

Presumably the only way to do this would be to nationalise the industry so NS oil is being produced by some kind of civil service body. Is that what you'd do?

Posted By: Tricky Hawes, Jun 3, 16:30:14