Alex Salmond has called for a Norwegian-style exploration credit scheme to help stimulate jobs in the North Sea oil industry.
The former First Minister spoke in the House of Commons on the same day he took part in his first call-in show for LBC Radio.
Conservative MPs launched a scathing attack on the SNP claiming an independent Scotland would have been hard hit by the current drop in oil price.
The Gordon MP said it s “payback time” to help support workers in the North East of Scotland.
He said:“In terms of investment, the North Sea has dominated UK private sector industrial investment for the last 30 years.
“In thinking about the current crisis facing workers and their families in the oil industry at the moment, Iwould commend to the Chancellor a similar scheme to the exploration credit initiative, which had such great success in Norway, a few years back, in kick starting exploration activity during an oil downturn.
“After more than 30 years and £300 billion of oil revenues flowing to successive Westminster governments, should it now be payback time in supporting workers in the North East of Scotland?”
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