§ Mr. Hillasked the Secretary of State for Energy, after the seventh round of oil exploration licences are issued, what safeguards will be taken to protect the Hampshire coastline when oil production commences.
§ Mr. GrayThose engaged in drilling activities on blocks off the Hampshire coast which may be leased in the seventh round will be expected as elsewhere to use best oilfield practice to minimise any risk of oil spillage. They will also be486W required to have available at the drilling location a capability to treat oil spillages, if any should nevertheless occur, and resources onshore which could rapidly be made available if necessary to supplement that capability. Discussions are in hand with the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association to develop existing contingency plans with particular reference to areas close in shore. Should any of this drilling activity lead to the discovery of oil or gas, and proposals for the production of oil from installations close to shore, I would need to be fully satisfied inter alia on both the prevention and contingency planning aspects of oil spills before I gave my consent to such a proposal.