Petition Reply on Cardigan Bay oil and gas drilling

I signed an e-petition on the 10 Downing Street website calling for the Government not to grant licenses for oil and gas exploration in Cardigan Bay due to the potential detrimental effects such activities would have on the marine wildlife, with knock-on effects on the West Wales tourism economy. The paper copies of the petition were presented to the Prime Minister's residence a couple of weeks ago by campaign coordinator Leila Kiersch and MP Mark Williams. I have now recieved a response from the Prime Minister to the petitions:

"The Government recognises that the oil and gas sector is one of the UK's most important industries and our role in awarding offshore oil and gas licences is to promote the continued development of the North Sea whilst respecting and minimising the impact on our environment.

"Four blocks, in Cardigan Bay and the Moray Firth, which are close to, or on, certain Special Areas of Conservation that were applied for in the 24th Oil and Gas Licensing Round have been the subject of representations regarding dolphins located in or near them. In order to consider these concerns in more detail the Department of Trade & Industry announced on 1 February that it is deferring a decision on whether or not to award licences for these 4 blocks. A separate Appropriate Assessment will be undertaken in relation to these blocks and will be consulted on before any decision is made.

"There are no job implications since no activity has taken place."

Blah, blah, blah. Funny that, I thought tourism was also an important industry.