HC Deb 05 March 1968 vol 760 c52W
50. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Power if he will make a statement on the progress under licence from him of drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea and his plans for retaining at fair prices the benefits of the oil and gas produced for the people of Scotland, indicating to which persons and companies he has given licences, and the progress relative and otherwise of each.

Mr. Marsh

126 wells have been drilled. or were in the course of drilling, in the North Sea by the end of February, 1968.

No oil has yet been found on a commercial scale. The Gas Council will sell gas to the Area Boards at a uniform tariff subject to load factor variations.