§ 33. Mr. John Leeasked the Minister of Power what measures he intends to take to speed up natural gas surveys of the west coast of the British Isles.
§ Mr. FreesonThe eighteen holders of exploration licences are already permitted to carry out oil and gas surveys within British territorial waters and on that part of the continental shelf which lies in the eastern half of the Irish Sea. My right hon. Friend is considering extending the area covered by these licences. Some onshore licences already exist for areas on the west coast and applications for further areas are being considered.