HC Deb 28 May 1976 vol 912 cc410-1W
Mr. Skeet

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) why the next round of licensing for Continental Shelf areas has been delayed;

(2) what is the attitude towards the eligibility of overseas State entities in the next round of licensing;

(3) in view of the fact that BNOC and BGC may apply for Continental Shelf licences at any time, whether he proposes to exclude them from the next round of licensing;

(4) whether he proposes to reserve any areas of the Continental Shelf exclusively for licensing to the BNOC or the BGC;

(5) whether he proposes to take into account during the next round of licensing the fact that subsisting licensees have stood on their legal rights and have not accepted the Government's invitation to grant 51 per cent. participation to the State.

Mr. Benn

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 27th May to the Member for Dunbartonshire, West (Mr. Campbell) which informed the House that I was making available a Consultative Document setting out my proposed arrangements for the Round.