§ Ms WalleyTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if she will commission an assessment of the environmental impact of continuing to explore and develop new hydrocarbon reserves; and if she will make a statement. [2126]
§ Mr. BattleThe Joint Nature Conservation Committee provides an assessment of the potential impact of hydrocarbons exploration and development on the environmental resources of areas before they are offered for licensing. On the basis of its advice, some areas may not be offered while others may have conditions applied to any licence to ensure that possible adverse impacts are minimised. These conditions may also require the provision of an environmental assessment by the licensee when preliminary work has identified the preferred location of a well or development and the probable characteristics of the project.