§ Mr. Maurice Macmillanasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether there has been any activity recently with regard to oil or gas exploration in the Celtic Sea area; and what are the prospects of now finding substantial reserves in the British sector.
§ Dr. MabonIn addition to survey work, six exploration wells have been drilled in the Celtic Sea off the Welsh and North Devon coasts; results of this activity have been disappointing. However, further survey work and two stratigraphic boreholes recently drilled for the Department in an area farther south in the South-Western Approaches have been encouraging and give grounds for optimism that oil and gas may be present there.