§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list the sites off the south coast of England where(a) applications are currently being processed and (b) applications have been granted for exploratory drilling for oil.
§ Mr. MoynihanConsent to drill wells to search for oil and gas is given under the terms of licences granted by the Secretary of State for Energy. No applications for consent to drill off the south coast of England are currently being processed. Since 1964, consent has been given to a total of 14 exploratory wells off the coast of Dorset, Hampshire, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight. In addition, consent has been given to eight exploratory wells in the English channel.