§ Mr. David Priceasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many licences to explore for oil have been issued in the counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset; and what, on the basis of current exploration, are the prospects of developing oil wells in these three counties.
§ Mr. GrayA total of 28 licences permitting the search for petroleum are presently in force for areas lying either wholly or partly within Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset. Only in Dorset, at Wytch Farm and at Kimmeridge, is oil currently being produced. Exploration is proeeding in the general area but only drilling will identify the prospects of finding oil in commercial quantities.