asked the Secretary of State for Energy which North Sea fields are due to come into production between March 1982 and March 1984; and to what extent it is expected that completions thereafter will be sufficient to offset the fall in production from declining fields.

The following North Sea fields are scheduled to come into production between March 1982 and March 1984.

Field	Estimated Date of Start-up
North West Hutton	March 1983
Magnus	April 1983
Brae (South)	Mid 1983
Maureen	December 1983
Hutton	February 1984

Production from North Sea fields is expected to peak in the mid-1980s and thereafter follow a gradual decline. It is not possible to forecast accurately production levels beyond the mid-1980s since this would depend on timing, ultimately recoverable reserves and sustainable production rates of discoveries which are not yet fully appraised and for which no approved development plans exist.