§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the total value, on a yearly basis, of royalties paid to the Exchequer on North Sea supplies of natural gas.
§ Mr. RidleyI would refer the hon. Member to the Accounts, which refer to the whole of the United Kingdom continental shelf, 1968–69 and 1969–70 (House of Commons Papers Nos. 61 of 1968–69, 129 of 1969–70 and 265 of 1970–71). The amounts are as follows:
£ 1967–68 365,952 1968–69 1,261,605 1969–70 1,470,295 The accounts for 1970–71 are expected to be available shortly.