§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list by reference number the blocks in the North Sea which have been explored for oil and the number of successful and unsuccessful wells drilled in each; and if he will also list the blocks in which no exploration has yet taken place.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanInformation supplied by licensees shows that detailed geophysical surveys have been carried out over 797 blocks licensed for exploration and production and that 442 wells have been drilled on 163 of these blocks. I intend to publish further details within the next few months.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is now able to set a date for the next allocation of licences for North Sea oil exploration.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanNo. As my hon. Friend said in the Scottish Grand Committee debate on 5th December, there will not be another allocation of licences for production in the immediate future.
§ Mr. Sillarsasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will indicate by economic planning regions where the 264W United Kingdom purchased 60 per cent. of equipment will be drawn from the Forties Oil Field.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanIt would not be possible to provide this information without undue cost.