§ 58. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Power what assistance, financial and otherwise, Her Majesty's Government are giving to the project of boring for oil in the seas round Great Britain; how far these projects have advanced; and what effect they will have on British fishing grounds and the British fishing industry.
§ Mr. ErrollThe Government are giving no financial assistance, but every encouragement, to these projects. In the North Sea many seismic and other surveys have been carried out and concerns interested in boring for oil and natural gas have been invited toapply for production licences by 20th July.
Licensees will not be allowed to interfere unjustifiably with fishing or the conservation of the living resources of the sea, and I shall have in mind the interests of the fishing industry when giving consent for particular wells.