§ 1. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Secretary for Mines whether he can make any statement as to the progress of experimental test drilling for oil in Scotland?
§ The Secretary for Mines (Captain Crookshank)Two deep test boreholes have recently been put down in Midlothian by separate licensees under the Petroleum (Production) Act, 1934. A small quantity of oil has been encountered at one borehole and considerable quantities of natural gas at both of them. The gas is at present shut in at both boreholes pending the drilling of two more in the neighbourhood. In addition, exploratory work is taking place on the north side of the Firth of Forth.
§ Sir T. MooreDoes my hon. and gallant Friend see a successful issue to these efforts?
§ Captain CrookshankI should not like to make any statement on that subject at present.