Continental Shelf (Area Designation)

HC Deb 27 July 1976 vol 916 cc128-9W

Mr. Campbell

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the designation of further areas of the Continental Shelf.

Mr. Benn

An additional 17,922 square kilometres of the Continental Shelf have been designated, by an Order in Council made on 23rd July, as areas in which the United Kingdom's rights to the sea bed and subsoil and their natural resources may now be exercised.

The designation Order, which is made under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964, involves three separate areas: 263 square kilometres in the Eastern English Channel. 2,374 square kilometres in the mid-English Channel. 15,285 square kilometres south and southwest of Cornwall.

These areas are all adjacent to existing designated areas.

The areas now designated are available to holders of petroleum exploration licences. The designation Order also increases the area of Continental Shelf in respect of which I am able to invite applications for petroleum production licences.

I have arranged for a map showing the newly-designated areas to be placed in the Library of the House. The designation Order and a printed map will be deposited there in due course.