asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the progress of exploration for oil on land and under United Kingdom territorial waters, including potential production of discoveries made during 1981.

The current level of exploration is higher than for many years, largely due to the substantial increase in the number of land licences awarded, thirteen exploration wells were drilled on land during 1981. No wells were drilled in territorial waters. Two of the wells had encouraging results but will require appraisal drilling to confirm their potential.