§ Mr. Peter Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will report progress on the eighth round of offshire licensing.
§ Mr. Lawson[pursuant to the reply, 17 February 1983, c. 203]: I have today annunced the conditional award of petroleum production licences for a further 63 blocks in the eighth round. These lie in the southern North sea, the west Orkneys, the east Shetland platform, the Forth approaches and the mid-North sea high.
Since the passage of the Oil and Gas (Enterprise) Act last year there has been a marked upswing in interest in gas exploration and development activities. These new licences will provide a further boost to gas exploration and will also open up several areas about which little is currently known.
I announced licence awards for seven blocks in the cash tender area on 17 February. Today's awards, therefore, bring the eighth round to a successful conclusion.
I have placed details of the awards in the Libraries of both Houses.