§ Mr. Hoosonasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement on the progress of oil exploration in the Celtic Sea and the prospects up to the present date.
§ Mr. John SmithIn addition to seismic survey work, two wells have been drilled in the licensed areas of the United Kingdom part of the Celtic Sea; no discoveries have been made. Several228W promising sedimentary basins have been located in the area; further drilling will be necessary to establish whether they are petroleum bearing.