HC Deb 14 June 1993 vol 226 cc408-9W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will list those offshore oil extraction projects that have been subject to an environmental impact assessment under the provisons of article 4(2) of EC directive 85/337.

Mr. Eggar

[holding answer 7 June 1993]: No offshore oil extraction projects requiring an environmental impact assessment have been brought forward since 1985.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what criteria and thresholds have been established by his Department to determine which United Kingdom offshore sector oil and gas extraction activities should be subject to an environmental impact assessment under article 4(2) of EC directive 85/337;

(2) which oil and gas extraction activities in the United Kingdom offshore sector are subject to the provisions under article 4(2) of EC directive 85/337.

Mr. Eggar

[holding answer 7 June 1993]: For any oil and gas development within 25 miles of the coast or in an environmentally sensitive area, preparation of an environmental impact assessment is a condition of the grant of a licence.