HC Deb 13 February 1964 vol 689 c540
16. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Minister of Power under what system he proposes to allocate rights of exploitation to oil companies prospecting in the North Sea.

Mr. Erroll

I have this important matter in hand, but am not yet ready to make a statement.

Mr. Dalyell

Shall we know before the end of the Committee stage of the Bill?

Mr. Erroll

That might depend on how long the Committee stage takes. In more practical terms, whatever system is decided on will be put into regulations under the Petroleum (Production) Act, 1934. These will be laid before Parliament. I think that it would be wrong to table regulations while the Continental Shelf Bill is still going through its Committee stage.