§ Mr. Roperasked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) whether he will examine Norwegian and United States' legislation on the protection of remains of cultural and biological importance and introduce comparable provisions before granting any further licences for sea-bed exploration on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what conditions are imposed on the applicants for exploration or production licences on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf to report or protect remains of cultural or biological interest discovered during their exploration activities.
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonAs my hon. Friend will be aware, the protection of antiquities lying on the sea bed off our shores is primarily a matter for consideration126W by the marine and environmental Departments. It is the practice, however, that before offering blocks for offshore production licences my Department consults all other Departments who have interests in offshore areas. Offshore petroleum licences do not contain any provisions specific to such historical objects, but all 1picensees are required to obtain the Secretary of State's consent before drilling or creating other sea bed disturbances in their licensed areas and the preservation of any important remains identified in the area would be taken fully into account.