§ Mr. Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the designation of further areas of the United Kingdom continental shelf.
§ Dr. Mabon,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 16th February 1978; Vol. 944, c. 309–310], gave the following further information:
An additional 3,473 sq km of the continental shelf have been designated by Order in Council made on 25th July as areas in which the United Kingdom's rights to the seabed and subsoil and their natural resources are exercisable.
The designation order, which is made under section 1(7) of the Continental Shelf Act 1964, covers an area in the South Western Approaches. The newly designated area is adjacent to existing areas. The area now designated is available to holders of petroleum exploration licences. The designation also increases the area of continental shelf in respect of which I am able to grant petroleum production licences.
I will arrange for the designation order and a map showing the newly designated area to be placed in the Library of the House on 2nd August 1978.