Written question asked by Teddy Taylor (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 4 March 1997. It was answered by Richard Page (Conservative) on Tuesday, 4 March 1997 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: If the European Union has any entitlement to exercise control or jurisdiction over the organisation of oil development and exploration and the disposal of the oil from United Kingdom waters.

Answer: Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the President of the Board of Trade if the European Union has any entitlement to exercise control or jurisdiction over the organisation of oil development and exploration and the disposal of the oil from United Kingdom waters; and if he will make a statement. [18586] Mr. Page: The exploration for and development of the UK's oil and gas resources continues to be carried out under licences issued by the UK Government. The UK's licensing regime is required to conform with the provisions of the hydrocarbons licensing directive of 1994, which sets out common rules relating to the procedures for granting authorisations for the exploration and production of oil and gas. However, that directive also reaffirms the important principle that "Member States have sovereignty and sovereign rights over hydrocarbon resources on their territories".

Secondary information