§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if the rate of exploratory drilling in the North sea and other United Kingdom continental shelf sectors has increased since the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait; and if he will provide statistics relating to this matter on a monthly basis for the period September 1989 to September 1990.
§ Mr. WakehamThe table sets out the numbers of exploration wells started in each of the months from September 1989 to September 1990. Although more wells were started in August and September 1990 than in earlier months, this cannot be attributed to the event referred to, since they had been planned well in advance.
Number 1989 September 11 October 9 November 6 December 12 1990 January 6 February 4 March 11 April 10 May 11 June 14 July 15 August 21 September 19