§ Mr. Mawbyasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement about the designation of further areas of the United Kingdom continental shelf.
§ Mr. GrayAn additional 18,250 sq km of the continental shelf have been designated by Order in Council made on 14 November as areas in which the United 209W 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 areas in the northern North Sea. The newly designated areas are adjacent to existing areas.
The areas now designated are available to holders of petroleum exploration licences. The designation also increases the area of continental shelf in respect of which my right hon. Friend is to grant petroleum production licences.
I have arranged for the designation order and a map showing the newly designated areas to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.