HC Deb 12 March 1971 vol 813 cc194-5W
Mr. Laurance Reed

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many blocks have been offered in the designated areas of Great Britain's Continental Shelf; how many have been taken up since 1964; what percentage of the blocks have been awarded to British-owned companies; how many blocks have been offered in the designated areas of the Irish Sea; and how many of these have been taken up.

Mr. Noble

Of the 1,509 blocks (87 in Irish Sea) offered, some more than once, 576 (19 in Irish Sea) have been awarded. The overall British interest in current licences is about 38 per cent.