§ 3.6 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF LAUDERDALEMy Lords, since my Questions have gone down on the Order Paper in reverse order to that intended, due to a clerical error, I beg leave to ask my second Question first. I would also point out that it contains a misprint and should refer to the Southern North Sea.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have any Statement to make on Paris Press reports that the French Government seeks a share of the exploration rights in the British licensing area of the Continental Shelf in the Southern Sea.
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (LORD BALOGH)My Lords, I have not seen the Paris Press reports referred to by the noble Earl. As he will know, six French-owned companies already hold 13 petroleum exploration and production licences on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf, which includes the Southern North Sea. There are no immediate plans to issue further licences.
§ THE EARL OF LAUDERDALEMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, which is reassuring so far as it goes, may I ask him whether he will take this opportunity to reaffirm the stand of this Government, and of the previous Government, as to British sovereignty over mineral rights on the British section of the Continental Shelf?
§ LORD BALOGHMy Lords, the sovereign rights over the petroleum reserves under the water have never been challenged. I readily reaffirm the position which the previous Government took, and which this Government have also taken.
§ THE EARL OF LAUDERDALEMy Lords, that will be very satisfactory and will be received with great relief in many quarters.
§ LORD BLYTONMy Lords, so far as the North Sea oil shelf is concerned, can the Minister assure us that there will be no giving away of British interests to the Common Market?
§ LORD BALOGHMy Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State has expressly mentioned that all our rights will be maintained fully, and all obligations also met.