Question
Last week, the Government finally approved Jackdaw. The Secretary of State called that “a win for Aberdeen, a win for Scottish workers and a win for Britain’s energy security.” But there can be many more wins: Rosebank and other fields can also protect jobs and supply chains, secure investment and tax returns, and boost our energy security. Based on his own logic from last week, will he confirm that he fully supports approving Rosebank and ending Labour’s ban on new licensing?
Answer
The shadow Ministers are like the Bourbons: they have forgotten nothing and learned nothing. The reason we took the decision about Jackdaw last week and the reason that I am appropriately cautious in relation to Rosebank, is that there is a process that needs to be followed, following the evidence and reaching a determination. Alas, that was not a process that the Conservatives chose to follow.40% point-scoring
Verdict: RED (18/100)
The reply discusses the Rosebank and Jackdaw decisions but never says whether the Secretary of State supports the Rosebank approval. It describes the government's approach as 'appropriately cautious' and says a process must be followed, which leaves the question unanswered in substance. It does not address the ban on new oil and gas licensing at all, and instead turns to remarks about the Conservatives. A member of the public would likely need to ask both questions again to get a clear answer.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether the Secretary of State fully supports the approval of the Rosebank oil field. | Partially Addressed | Hedged | The reply engages with Rosebank and the Jackdaw decision, but never states whether the Secretary of State supports the approval; it offers only 'appropriately cautious' and a general claim that a process must be followed, leaving the question of support unanswered. |
| Whether the Secretary of State fully supports ending the Government's ban on new oil and gas licensing. | Not Addressed | Generic | No statement mentions the ban on new oil and gas licensing, whether it should end, or the Secretary of State's view on it; the reply discusses only Jackdaw, Rosebank, and partisan remarks about the Conservatives. |