§ Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was 15W the price paid for each exploration licence granted so far in the so-called Celtic Sea.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanFor each licence awarded recently to explore for and win oil or gas in the United Kingdom waters of the Continental Shelf there is an initial payment of £45 per sq. km.; 17 licences have been granted for areas in the Celtic Sea involving initial payments totalling £456,840. Annual rents rising from £50 per sq. km. are payable from the 7th year. The details for each licence are:
£ P. 144 11,731.50 P.145 11,650.50 P.146 23,382.00 P.147 11,610.00 P.149 11,610.00 P.150 23,341.50 P.151 35,113.50 P.152 11,650.50 P.154 11,610.00 P.155 11,650.50 P.156 93,811.50 P.157 23,463.00 P.158 59,791.50 P.159 81,594.00 P.160 11,529.00 P.161 11,610.00 P.162 11,691.00 The allocation of blocks in the Celtic Sea was announced on 15th March. The names of licence holders are to be published shortly in the Official Gazettes, but a list is being lodged in the Library.