§ 1. Mr Ioan Evansasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the latest estimates of the United Kingdom reserves of oil, gas and coal and the proportion of the European Community's indigenous energy reserves possessed by the United Kingdom.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Energy (Dr. J Dickson Mabon)I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Caernarvon (Mr. Wigley) on 5th July 1977. Estimated United Kingdom proved reserves, expressed as a percentage of total EEC proved reserves, are as follows: crude oil, 90 per cent.; natural gas, 24 per cent.; solid fuels, 52 per cent.
§ Mr. EvansSince we have a substantial amount of the resources of the EEC, will my right hon. Friend ensure that these resources are developed in the interests of the people of this island as a whole and that in his negotiations with the EEC he will protect the British position?
§ Mr. Gordon WilsonWill the Minister take into account the adverse negotiations on Scotland's fishing industry in relation to the EEC and the determination of the 50-mile limit when he negotiates an energy arrangement with the EEC as regards oil?
§ Dr. MabonI do not necessarily accept the hon. Gentleman's premise, and it is not absolutely the case that fishing and oil coincide, whether one considers this in terms of the arbitration we have had with the French or further arbitrations there may be, or within the context of the United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea. However, I take the hon. Gentleman's point.