§ Sir Michael GryllsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what sanctions he has at his disposal against oil companies which fail to carry out exploration and drilling commitments specified in licences granted by his Department in previous United Kingdom continental shelf licensing rounds; and on what occasion he has exercised these powers.
§ Mr. EggarThe Secretary of State may revoke a licence if there is any breach or non-observance by the licensees of any terms and conditions of the licence, including exploration and drilling commitments. To date neither the Secretary of State nor his predecessors has exercised these powers.