§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the issue of licences for the exploration of oil in Northern Ireland's coastal waters.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerPetroleum exploration licences are issued by the Department of Commerce under section 2 of the Petroleum (Production) Act (Northern Ireland) 1964.An onshore/offshore licence was issued in April 1980 covering an area of 138 sq miles embracing the Rathlin basin offshore and a landward area of North Antrim around Ballycastle. A second onshore/offshore licence for a contiguous area of 550 sq miles covering the land area of North Antrim and North Londonderry and the offshore area of territorial waters up to three miles from Ballintoy to Castlerock has been issued for signing by the licencees.