Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of officiating the 13th onshore oil and gas licensing round; and how much his Department recouped from the sale of licences in that round.

The 13^th onshore oil and gas licensing round was held in 2008. A review of the time spent considering 13^th Round applications by staff involved in oil gas licensing estimated that the resource cost to the departmental had been £86,180.

Licences are not sold, but there is a fee for applications. Licence application fees for the 13^th Round totalled £60,000.