§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many licences have been issued for oil exploration off the Isle of Wight that have not found commercial oil deposits.
§ Mr. EggarSix licences have been issued giving rights to explore for oil and gas in the area off the Isle of Wight. Significant discoveries, which may prove to be commercial, have been made under two of these licences. No discoveries have yet been made on the four other licences: exploration is at a very early stage in two of these.