HC Deb 03 November 1994 vol 248 cc1241-2W
Mr. Macdonald

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what consultations will be held regarding the possible withdrawal of any nominated blocks from the 16th round on environmental grounds.

Mr. Charles Wardle

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers I gave the hon. Member for Pembroke (Mr. Ainger) on 25 October,Official Report, columns 556-58 and 559-60.

My officials recently met members of the Wildlife and Countryside Link consortium to discuss their views on the nominated blocks for the round. I will, of course, take the WCL's comments into account when deciding which blocks should or should not be offered for licence in the 16th round.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what environmental criteria were used to exclude blocks from the 14th offshore oil and gas licensing round; and whether it is planned to use the same criteria for the 16th round.

Mr. Charles Wardle

A number of blocks were not offered in the 14th round because it was felt that, on balance, it would not be possible to agree licence conditions which would allow the prospective operator to carry out exploration activities without compromising the interests of other users of the sea and environmental sensitivities.

Decisions on which blocks can be offered for licence in the 16th round and what conditions will be attached to them will be taken on the basis of consultations with interested parties, including the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and other environmental bodies, about the sensitivities present in individual areas.

Mr. Newton

My hon. Friend may wish to ask the Procedure Committee to look into his suggestion.