§ The Earl of LAUDERDALEasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list the areas onshore where hydrocarbons exploration licences have been granted; to which operators, indicating the existence of consortia where this is the case, and the partners' respective percentage shares.
The MINISTER of STATE, DEPARTMENT of EMPLOYMENT (The Earl of Gowrie)Landward petroleum exploration licences are currently in force covering most areas in the Southern counties of England except Cornwall, parts of the East and West Midlands, Cheshire, Lancashire, Humberside and Yorkshire, and a small number of areas in Scotland. A map showing the location of these licensed areas, together with a list of the licensees, identifying the operating company, has been placed in the Library of the House. Details of the percentage share in licences held by members of consortia are commercially confidential.