§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the decision by Esso plc to carry out exploratory seismic operations in the Solway firth; and if he will make a statement. [22454]
§ Mr. PageEsso Exploration and Production UK Ltd. is the licensee of blocks 112/10, 112/14, 112/15 and 113/11 in the north Irish sea, which are located to the west of the Solway firth bay closing line. The licensed area of these blocks does not extend into the Solway firth.
These blocks were awarded in the 14th round of offshore oil and gas licensing and are subject to strict conditions—which were agreed with other Government Departments and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee—to take account of the concerns of other users of the sea and protect any environmental sensitivities which have been identified in the area. I have placed a copy of the 14th round indicative licence conditions in the Library of the House.
The company has already completed seismic operations in the area, and is close to concluding an extensive and wide-ranging consultation exercise regarding its plans to drill. Those consulted include Government Departments, the JNCC,the fishing industry and local authorities.