§ Mr. Matherasked the Secretary of State for Energy if public inquiries will be held before any seismic surveys or drilling licences are issued for onshore petroleum exploration covering areas of southern England.
337W
§ Dr. J. Dickson MabonThere is no statutory requirement for public inquiries concerning the grant of licences. However, the grant of a licence permitting seismic or drilling operations does not exempt the licensee from obtaining other consents or permissions—for instance, from landowners, or under town and country planning legislation. The latter legislation provides for the holding of public inquiries in the circumstances therein specified.