Councillors Andy Doig and Brian Lawson have said that newly-released government documents, which had been secret, show that enough oil exists in our county to create thousands of local jobs.

Doig said: “SNP MSP’s have found out through declassified Government papers that in the early 1980’s the then Thatcher Government admitted there were exploitable quantities of oil in the Firth of Clyde.

“BP and the then state-owned British National Oil Corporation, which was based in Glasgow, were given production licences.

“However, the Defence Secretary, Michael Heseltine, stopped them drilling because of the danger to the nuclear submarines.” Doig highlighted the issue at a council meeting this week in a bid to put plans in place so no time will be lost if YES voters win the day in next week’s referendum.

The SNP-man, who is the party’s Jobs and Economy spokesman in Renfrewshire, explained: “Renfrewshire could be the Grampian of the West.

“A YES vote would allow exploration of potential oil fields in the Firth of Clyde by oil companies, thereby creating thousands of new local jobs.

“At the Jobs and Economy Board I tabled an amendment to the Labour Market Update Report.

“Clearly, with a YES vote, and the removal of nuclear weapons and subs from the Clyde, we can explore once more the potential oil fields in the Clyde.

“Sadly, the Labour Cllrs did not accept the amendment but I am sure many Labour voters in Renfrewshire will seize this historic chance to make Renfrewshire the Grampian of the West on September 18.” Doig’s bid stated that “consistent progress” had been “made by Scottish Government policies, in alliance with Renfrewshire Council, to reduce local unemployment and to create jobs.” And his amendment to the council’s proposals read: “This Board highlights that a YES vote on September 18 will allow further exploration of the Firth of Clyde with regard to its oil and gas potential, which could have a massive economic benefit to the people of Renfrewshire in terms of new jobs.” Councillor Brian Lawson, the leader of Renfrewshire’s SNP Group, shares Doig’s views and backed his bid for a post-YES vote plan.

He said: “I seconded Andy’s amendment because we are not just ambitious for Scotland in the YES campaign but ambitious for Renfrewshire.

“Even today oil industry estimates believe there could be as much oil off the West Coast as there is currently off the North East. This could see thousands of new local jobs which would transform Renfrewshire for the better.

“As much as 500 million barrels of oil could be off the Clyde.

“This would create in its extraction crucial oil industry support jobs, the likely expansion of Glasgow Airport, service vessels built on the Clyde to boost shipbuilding jobs, and a construction jobs boom in infrastructure and houses.

“Oil is not a magic wand but a YES vote will deliver the strong chance to create a second industrial revolution in Renfrewshire with a massive increase in highly paid jobs.” Doig’s move failed, with his amendment being outvoted nine to four.

The result meant that, should we gain independence next week, no plans are in place to realise Renfrewshire’s oil-producing potential.

Labour Councillor Derek Bibby branded the claims “ludicrous.” The Johnstone representative said: “During the the course of the referendum debate local SNP Councillors have in recent times tabled many weird and wonderful motions to Renfrewshire Council policy boards and beyond.

“The people of Renfrewshire await the next nationalist fantasy, probably of the ‘Elvis found in Shanks park’ variety.

“When they return to planet earth, they might reflect that in the event of a YES vote, it may very well be their own party who renege on the issue of Trident.

“After all there is previous here. The SNPs implacable opposition to joining NATO as part of the nuclear umbrella evaporated, and lo and behold, they now want to be a member. An object lesson in hypocrisy.

“People considering voting YES need to realise they are supporting the use of nuclear weapons.

“Once the warm embrace of the US and others becomes seductive watch this space for an SNP about-turn.

“If by any chance they were to stick to their commitment to remove Trident, there would be massive job losses on the Clyde.

“As for the fantasy oil boom this conveniently ignores the views of Sir Ian Wood, the most respected figure in the oil industry, that Scotland’s reserves are in fact in decline.

“The real threat to jobs in Renfrewshire is of course the nationalist plan to break up Britain with the consequence of £6billion worth of cuts.

“Another work of fiction, the independence White Paper, fails to address.”