The new federal minister of natural resources says the Conservative government will take a closer look at oil and gas drilling off the coast of British Columbia.

Saanich Gulf Islands Tory MP Gary Lunn's comments follow his appointment to the cabinet post on Monday.

Development of West Coast offshore oil and gas resources has been banned since the early 1970s under a moratorium imposed by the federal Liberals.

However, the B.C. Liberal government has been campaigning to have that moratorium lifted to allow exploration of the ocean floor.

That push has been countered by strong opposition across the province.

Speaking with On The Island's Paul Vasey on Tuesday, Lunn says the new federal government will look at this issue very carefully.

"What we said as a party in the past, that we are open to discussing this and looking at it, although we've made no decision on this," he said.

"What we would say, is that we're prepared to at least, you know, let's have the scientists prepare the information for us, so we have all the facts before us before we make any decision on this file."

Lunn says he plans to meet with his B.C. counterpart, Energy Minister Richard Neufeld, to hear the province's arguments for going ahead with drilling.