asked the Secretary of State for Energy when he proposes to reply to the Select Committee Report on Nationalised Industries, Nationalised Industries and Exploration of North Sea Oil and Gas, published on 23rd April 1975 (Command Paper No. 345), and his reasons for the delay.

The Select Committee's Report was published on 23rd July 1975. I expect to present the Government's reply in the very near future. There has been no delay beyond that needed to give proper consideration to the Select Committee's views.