§ Mr. Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Energy what arrangements he has made to safeguard the interests of other users of the sea during offshore oil and gas activities in blocks to be licensed in the seventh round of offshore licensing.
§ Mr. GrayIn recognition of the special importance to fishing interests of the inner Moray Firth, a code of practice for oil-related activity there has been agreed with the fishing and oil industries. This provides for a close liason between individual operators and fishing interests, 249W early warning of intended seismic surveys and exploration drilling, limitations on the amount of drilling activity at any particular time, and minimising interference with fishing activities in various other ways. We have also drawn up in consultation with the oil industry a list of certain essential elements to be incorporated in operators' oil spill contingency plans for seventh round blocks which are wholly or partly within 25 miles of the coast to ensure an immediate response to any oil spill, access to adequate resources in reserve, and good liason with the relevant local and other authorities.
I have arranged for copies of the code and the list of essential elements for dealing with oil spills to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.