Government delays North Sea oil legislation due to lack of Commons time
Government legislation designed to maximise North Sea oil and gas production has been delayed to avoid it being rushed through its first stage in 45 minutes.
The Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill would require the industry regulator to run annual rounds for new oil and gas licences, subject to stringent new emissions and imports tests.
It was due to receive its second reading on Monday evening, but additional business – including lengthy exchanges on the Israel-Hamas conflict would have been left with little more than 45 minutes to debate it.
