§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will compare the level of royalties paid on oil and natural gas produced in the leading EEC countries; and in what circumstances royalties are reduced as an incentive to intensify the search for petroleum.
§ Mr. GrayInformation about the royalty regimes operated by other member States is not readily available. Section 41(3) of the Petroleum and Submarine Pipe-lines Act 1975 empowers the Secretary of State to repay, with the approval of the Treasury, royalties where expedient for the purpose of facilitating or maintaining the development of the petroleum resources of the United Kingdom.