§ Lord KENNETasked Her Majesty's Government:
What calculations are made of the capital value of fishing grounds, or alternatively what value is assumed for them when decisions are made to develop "marginal" oil or gas fields in UK waters.
§ Lord STRABOLGIIn considering proposals to develop any hydrocarbons discovered in licensed areas, the Secretary of State for Energy has regard to a wide range of economic, environmental and other considerations and not least fishing activities. In this connection he consults amongst others the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The overall objective is for offshore oil and gas development to be carried out with a negligible or minimum impact on the other uses and benefits which the UKCS provides.