A NORTH-EAST MP has called for the rest of the UK to show greater appreciation of the crucial economic role played by the North Sea oil and gas industry.
Sir Robert Smith, Liberal Democrat member for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, said it was important to recognise that the entire country benefited from the sector, in order to help encourage investment.
He was speaking after giving his backing to a motion tabled in Westminster by Mike Crockart, the Lib Dem MP for Edinburgh West.
The motion, which highlights the 440,000 jobs supported by the oil and gas industry in Britain and asks the UK Government to work to ensure the sector continues to flourish, has also been signed by north and north-east Lib Dems John Thurso and Malcolm Bruce, as well as Mike Weir, SNP MP for Angus.
Sir Robert said: “I backed the motion because my Edinburgh colleague was recognising that it is not just the north-east of Scotland but the rest of the country that benefits so much from investment in the North Sea.
“It is good for the future debate on encouraging investment that there is a wider appreciation outside the north-east of Scotland on the considerable potential with this industry we have built up.
“It’s important to recognise that the whole country is part of this major industry.”