HL Deb 13 June 1985 vol 464 cc1474-6WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the "deep water frontier areas of the Rockall and Faroes troughs", concerning which conditional awards of petroleum production licences have recently been announced, are fully recognised by all neighbouring states as being subject to exclusive British sovereign rights for the purposes of exploration and exploitation, and if not, what steps they are taking to secure such recognition.

The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Gray of Contin)

No neighbouring states have challenged the United Kingdom's sovereign rights in those areas of the Rockall and Faroes troughs where petroleum production licences have been issued. The United Kingdom designated this area in 1974 by Order in Council under the Continental Shelf Act 1964.