§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to prepare draft operating regulations and fiscal arrangements in advance of an exclusive licensing round in the Falklands designated area.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesThese matters will be given consideration. Further legislation would of course be required for an exclusive licensing round.
§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what preliminary information his Department is providing to oil companies regarding possible operating regulations and fiscal regimes for oil developers in the Falklands development area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesThe South Atlantic and Antarctic department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued a letter on 17 March which set out our expectations on a future licensing round and the fiscal regime which would apply to companies exploiting any hydrocarbons which may be found in the Falklands designated area. It will provide further guidance as appropriate.
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§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he intends to take to encourage oil company participation in the current phase of exploration of the Falklands designated area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Garel-JonesThe financial participation of oil companies in the seismic surveys now being carried out is a commercial matter. The South Atlantic and Antarctic department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office will supplement as appropriate the guidance given in its letter of 17 March to the seismic contractors.
§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he roposes to announce the opening and closing dates of an exclusive licensing round in the Falklands designated area.
Mr. Garet-JonesThe letter of 17 March from the South Atlantic and Antarctic department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to seismic companies said that the licensing round would probably close within two to three years from now. We would expect an announcement of opening and closing dates to be made in due course.
§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he ntends to respond directly to the Argentine Government in respect of the letter sent by the Argentine Government to oil companies, reasserting a claim to sovereignty of the Falkland islands and surrounding waters.