Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, which (a) government departments and (b) external stakeholders were consulted in the determination of the 1981 licence application made by British Petroleum to drill in the Firth of Clyde; and (i) on what date and (ii) for what reason the application was ruled unsuccessful.

The only relevant records which the Department holds indicate that BP held an onshore Production Licence (PL262) between 1984 and 1988 which included acreage in the Firth of Clyde. This information was released in response to a Freedom of Information request – which can be found via the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/oil-gas-exploration-in-the-firth-of-clyde-foi-130568

The Department does not hold any other documents relating to licence PL262 or oil exploration in the Firth of Clyde.