asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will outline the nature, extent and timescale of drilling operations near Lochaline on the sound of Mull; by whom they are being undertaken; whether planning permission had been granted prior to the commencement of operations; and if he will make a statement.

Neither I nor Highland regional council, to whom applications for planning permission would be made, have any knowledge of drilling operations in the Lochaline area. If the hon. Member has any information about such operations, perhaps he would send it to me and I shall have further enquiries made.