§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what licences he has given to the Candecca Company for oil exploration in West Lothian;
(2) what discussions he had with West Lothian County Council before granting licences to Candecca for oil exploration in West Lothian;
(3) what tendering procedures he adopted in relation to oil exploration in West Lothian;
(4) what assurances he asked from the Candecca Company before granting licences for oil exploration in West Lothian.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanTwo exploration licences have been granted permitting Candecca Resources Ltd. to carry out seismic surveys and shallow drilling in areas of central Scotland; the boundaries are described in announcements published in the London and Edinburgh Gazettes today. Procedures for the issue of these licences do not include arrangements for tendering, nor prior consultation with local authorities, but are explicitly subject to the licensees obtaining all necessary planning consent. The licences are also subject to the standard conditions set out in model clauses contained in the Petroleum (Production) Regulations 1966 as amended by the Petroleum (Production) (Amendment) Regulations 1972.