(1)  A lessee whose lease is in force may make an application to the Minister for the grant by the Minister of a licence –

(a) where the lease is in respect of 9 blocks – in respect of 5 of those blocks; or

(b) where the lease is in respect of 8 or 7 blocks – in respect of 4 of those blocks; or

(c) where the lease is in respect of 6 or 5 blocks – in respect of 3 of those blocks; or

(d) where the lease is in respect of 4 or 3 blocks – in respect of 2 of those blocks; or

(e) where the lease is in respect of 2 blocks – in respect of one of those blocks; or

(f) where the lease is in respect of one block – in respect of that block.

(2)  At any time while a lease is in force, the lessee may, instead of making an application under subsection (2) in respect of the lessee's primary entitlement, make an application to the Minister for the grant by the Minister of a licence in respect of a number of blocks that is less than the lessee's primary entitlement.

(3)  Where a lessee makes an application under subsection (2) in respect of the lessee's primary entitlement, the lessee may, at any time while the lease concerned is in force, make an application to the Minister for the grant by the Minister of a licence in respect of any of the other blocks forming part of the lease.