Osborne visits offshore platform
The Chancellor has paid tribute to oil workers killed in a North Sea helicopter crash before being flown out to an offshore platform.
George Osborne travelled on a Super Puma helicopter with representatives from Aberdeen-based oil and gas firm Talisman Sinopec to the Montrose platform, one of the oldest in the North Sea.
New investment is expected to extend the platform's life to 2030.
A Treasury spokeswoman said: "Mr Osborne was shown around the rig and met some of the workers."
A Super Puma plunged into the sea off Shetland last month, killing three men and a woman. It was the fifth incident involving the aircraft since April 2009 when 14 passengers and two crew were killed.
The Chancellor's helicopter took off from Aberdeen airport around noon, shortly after he addressed delegates at the Offshore Europe 2013 conference.
He joined oil and gas industry representatives in a minute's silence for the victims of the crash, which happened on August 23.
Mr Osborne said: "Our thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues at this time. The book of condolence here shows the depth of feeling for those who lost their lives and were injured."
There were 14 survivors of the crash which took the lives of Duncan Munro, 46, from Bishop Auckland, County Durham; George Allison, 57, from Winchester, Hampshire; Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin, Moray; and 59-year-old Gary McCrossan, from Inverness.
Super Puma flights were suspended following the accident but resumed as experts said there was no evidence to suggest a technical problem was to blame.
