§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the blocks he will offer for licensing in the fifth round.
§ Mr. BennI have now made the Petroleum (Production) Regulations, which will govern the fifth round of licensing, and I am arranging for these to be laid today. As indicated in the pursuant answer I gave on 20th July—[Vol. 915, c.449]—the arrangements for the fifth round will be as set out in the consultative document, published on 27th May, with the changes listed in that pursant answer. The formal invitation of applications will be made when the regulations come into force—that is to say, in mid-August. In the meantime, so that Parliament will know the full arrangements for the round before the recess, I am today lodging in the House Libraries a draft of theGazette notice which will be issued when applications are formally invited next month.