Mr. Skeet asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many participation agreements have been negotiated between companies operating in the North Sea and his Department.

Mr. Gray: In addition to the participation agreements concluded with the 62 companies listed in appendix 13 to the Secretary of State's report to Parliament of July 1979 "Development of the oil and gas resources of the United Kingdom"—the Brown Book—further agreements were concluded in April this year with Total Oil Marine Ltd., Elf (UK) and Aquitaine (UK) Ltd.