Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what assessment he has made of (a) the total cost to his Department and (b) the number of full time equivalent staff employed in administering the fourteenth licensing round for onshore oil and gas.

No assessment to date has been made on the total cost to DECC of administering the 14^th licensing round. The consideration of applications made in the licensing round is yet to take place and the number of applications relevant staff will need to consider will not be known until the passing of the application deadline on the 28th October 2014.

Up to four members of staff have had substantial involvement in preparations for the round to date, and up to six more may be involved in the assessment of applications once received and in the issue of licences in accordance with Ministers’ decisions. In addition, the Department is conducting environmental assessments related to the round, with assistance from external consultants.