§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Energy what surveys have been carried out for evidence of oil and gas deposits being available on Merseyside; what have been the locations of these surveys; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithFive surveys, specifically for oil and gas, have been carried out in the Merseyside area during the past four years. All these surveys have been completed under exploration licences. The surveys total some 800km of seismic traverse over the area.
§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Energy what plans he has to license exploration for oil and gas in the Liverpool bay: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithAn application for a production licence in Liverpool bay is under consideration. Consultation with non-oil interests is currently taking place and I am not yet in a position to say when they will be completed.