§ Mr. Peter Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will report progress on the eighth round of offshore licensing.
§ Mr. GrayI am pleased to report good progress with the round. I intend to license seven of the blocks offered for cash tender.
The successful bids for these blocks have raised a total of £32¾ million. The highest bid was over £10 million for block 21/15b from a group led by Amerada Exploration Ltd.
I have today placed details of the awards in the Libraries of both Houses. This brings the cash tender part of the round to a satisfactory conclusion.
Assessment continues of applications for the remaining blocks—those in the southern basin and in previously undrilled areas which are to be licensed on the basis of the usual criteria. Interviews with applicants are already in progress.