HC Deb 19 April 1973 vol 855 cc659-60
Ql. Mr. Douglas

asked the Prime Minister if he will take personal charge of the arrangements for the next round of production and exploration licences for the United Kingdom sector of the Continental Shelf.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Edward Heath)

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Manchester, Wythenshawe (Mr. Alfred Morris) on 12th April.—[Vol. 854, c. 1498–9.]

Mr. Douglas

I find it difficult to recall that reply. Will the Prime Minister give an assurance that, whatever arrangements are made for the next round of licences, this nation will receive the maximum return from the exploitation of these indigenous resources? In view of current developments, will he consider setting up a national energy commission with the additional responsibility of founding a research and development institution on the French model to deepen and widen our petroleum technology base?

The Prime Minister

I think the hon. Gentleman knows, because of the deep study he has made of the subject, that the Government have been carrying out a complete review of the whole of the licensing arrangements. As the Public Accounts Committee Report has been published, we are able to take its recommendations into account and of course we shall take note of what the hon. Gentleman has said. Obviously I cannot commit myself at this stage to agreeing to the sort of institutional arrangements that the hon. Gentleman is now suggesting. As he knows, we have ourselves made changes in the arrangements for dealing with these matters and we must see how they work.

Mr. Stonchouse

As the right hon. Gentleman has already shown his broad-mindedness by appointing Lord Rothschild to advise him on general subjects, would it not be a good idea if he were to appoint Lord Balogh to advise him in this matter?

The Prime Minister

I do not think that a further adviser is necessary.