HC Deb 22 October 1973 vol 861 cc362-3W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what he estimates to be the current market value of mineral wealth below ground and within territorial waters in the United Kingdom at present vested in the private sector.

Mr. Anthony Grant

All minerals within territorial waters are publicly owned. Land-based production of privately-owned minerals in 1972 was valued at £336 million. The full extent of such mineral deposits is not known; no meaningful estimate of therefore be made.