§ The Earl of LAUDERDALEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when they propose to issue another round of offers for offshore exploration licences.
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, although a further round of offshore production licensing is under consideration, no decision about timing has yet been taken. Non-exclusive exploration licences—as referred to in the noble Earl's Question—may of course be applied for at any time.
§ The Earl of LAUDERDALEMy Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask whether it is the case that, thanks to the British/French agreement about the median line in the Western Approaches, there are now areas that could be licensed when the time is ripe? Could the noble Lord give any indication whether the Government are thinking of that area?
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, I take it that the noble Earl is referring to the sixth round. The Government have not yet determined what arrangements should apply for further offshore production licensing.
§ The Earl of LAUDERDALEMy Lords, I am sorry; perhaps I did not make my question clear. Following the British/French agreement about the demarcation of areas of interest in the Western Approaches, is it now not the case that the area South-West of Lands End could be offered for licensing?
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, the recent arbitration decision confirmed United Kingdom rights in this area and the Government therefore considered it appropriate to designate the territory quickly so that exploration of oil and gas could proceed. It is of course far too early to say what prospects the area holds, though it is generally thought to have promise. The Government certainly envisage that the private sector will play a role in the exploration of the area.
§ Lord CLIFFORD of CHUDLEIGHMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that over three years ago I asked a supplementary question on the basis of the noble Earl's second question. Would he bear in mind that we, in the South-West, are intensely interested in this prospect of having oil from that part of the country? Would the Government also bear in mind that, if oil was discovered off the South-West, it would help them and all of us in the arguments with the Scottish nationalists?
§ Lord STRABOLGIMy Lords, I will pass on what the noble Lord has said to my right honourable friends the Secretary of State for Energy and the Secretary of State for Scotland.