§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy, of the 138 significant discoveries referred to in appendix IV of the 1982 Brown Book, how many he considers economically and commercially viable under the modified North sea tax proposals included in the Budget.
§ Mr. GrayThe economic and commercial viability of hydrocarbon discoveries is a matter for the licensee's judgment. The important tax changes announced in the Budget are aimed at promoting the development of the North sea, and I look forward to a favourable response from the companies.