§ Mr. William Edwardsasked the Minister of Power what steps are being taken to investigate the possibility that oil or gas may be found beneath the South Irish Sea off the Welsh coast.
§ Mr. GunterAn additional part of the Continental Shelf in the Irish Sea, including an area off the Welsh Coast south of Anglesey, has recently been designated by Order in Council made on 7th June, 1968, under Section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act, 1964. This will enable me to be kept fully informed on the progress of any operations carried out by holders of exploration licences off the Welsh Coast.
I understand that the Institute of Geological Sciences is currently investigating the geology of the floor of the Irish Sea. A test borehole is being drilled and a programme of seismic survey in part of the southern Irish Sea off the Welsh coast is to be undertaken within the next few weeks. This should show whether geological structures meriting further detailed investigation are present.