Exceptions from Reservation
The following are excepted from the reservation:
the subject-matter of sections 10 to 12 of the Industry Act 1972 (credits and grants for construction of ships and offshore installations). This makes it clear that the giving of financial assistance, in the form of credits and grants, for the construction of ships and offshore installations is not a reserved matter. Paragraph 4 of Part III of Schedule 5 provides that the giving of financial assistance to industry for the purposes of promoting or sustaining economic development or employment is not a reserved matter. This means that the Parliament can make provision of a general nature for assistance to industry including those which operate in reserved areas, but it does not have competence to legislate for such assistance specifically in relation to a reserved commercial activity such as oil and gas exploration. Section 56 also provides for certain powers, including this one, relating to the giving of financial assistance to industry which are not reserved to be “shared powers”, so that a UK Minister can continue to exercise those powers in or as regards Scotland. For example, the power to give financial assistance in relation to mineral exploration (other than for oil and gas which is a reserved matter as explained above) is a shared power under section 56(1)(e);
the subject-matter of the Offshore Petroleum Development (Scotland) Act 1975, other than sections 3 to 7. This ensures that the provision of financial assistance under the 1975 Act for onshore activities in support of offshore activities, for instance construction of installations, are not reserved. This is in line with the fact that assistance to industry generally is not reserved;
the subject-matter of Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, which makes provision for the control of pollution.
the manufacture of gas. The production of combustible gas other than natural gas is thus not reserved; and
the conveyance, shipping and supply of gas other than through pipes.