§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether we are authorised under the Community treaties to restrict exploration licences in the North Sea to British firms; and, if not, what steps were taken in the negotiations in Dublin to safeguard our position in this respect.
§ Mr. John Smith:There is no need for such authority because it is not United Kingdom practice to restrict petroleum exploration and production licences to British-owned firms. Licensees are, how-over, required under present regulations to maintain their central management and control in the United Kingdom.