Written question asked by Iain Wright (Labour) on Monday, 16 January 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 20 January 2012. It was answered by Lord Willetts (Conservative) on Friday, 20 January 2012 on behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Shell

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills with reference to the announcement on 16 January 2012 of the proposed closure of the Shell Technology Centre in Thornton, what discussions he has had with Shell management on retaining its research and development capability in the UK.

Answer: Following the announcement of the closure of the site at Thornton, Shell have reaffirmed to officials at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, their commitment to maintaining their research and development profile in the UK and are relocating the remaining 280 product development jobs at Thornton to London and Manchester. Their continued research and development activity in the UK includes research partnerships with a number of UK universities and a partnership with the Energy Technologies Institute on projects to address future energy challenges.

Secondary information