§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Power how long the proposals for a hydrocarbons corporation have been under Government consideration; what evidence has been considered; what progress the consideration has made; and when a decision will be reached.
§ Mr. MasonAbout a year, but the Labour Party Study Group's Report on the staffing and finance of the proposed Corporation and its relationship with the Gas Council was only published in August this year. This Report will be an important consideration in the wider study now being undertaken of the future exploration and development of the United Kingdom Continental Shelf. I cannot say when decisions will be reached.