§ Q3. Mr. Dalyellasked the Prime Minister if he will make an official visit to Aberdeen.
§ The Prime MinisterI have at present no plans to visit Aberdeen, although I hope to visit Scotland again soon.
§ Mr. DalyellWhich Government Department is to spearhead the urgent drive for greater safety for the oil rig men and divers?
§ The Prime MinisterMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy is responsible for the safety, health and welfare of persons working on offshore installations, including divers. As I think my hon. Friend knows, the Secretary of State is urgently preparing a comprehensive code of regulations governing both design and construction of installations and the safety of operations carried out on or near them. My right hon. Friend is also hoping to bring forward legislation before long to provide for the safety of submarine pipelines and of those, including divers, who are engaged in pipeline operations.
§ Mr. Teddy TaylorIs the Prime Minister aware of the strong feeling in Aberdeen and other parts of Scotland that the Government have been largely indifferent to the wave of industrial strife that we have had? Will he take a personal interest in the present dispute involving teachers, which is wrecking the education prospects of many children in Scotland, because it appears that a settlement is being held back by the pigheadedness of the Secretary of State for Scotland?
§ The Prime MinisterThis is a matter, as are other cases, for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, with whom the hon. Gentleman will no doubt be raising it.
§ Mr. PrescottIs my right hon. Friend aware that in attempting to deal with the safety problems in the North Sea we should not leave it to the Department of Energy, which does not have enough coverage legislatively, to deal with the problem? The death rates for divers are 250 times greater than in occupational jobs ashore, and the rate for ordinary workers is 40 times greater. It is imperative that this matter should be given over to the Safety Commission and the Department of Employment by a statutory Order in Council. This is essential.
§ The Prime MinisterI am aware of what my hon. Friend has said about this, not only this afternoon but on past occasions, and his concern in the matter. My right hon. Friends, while sharing my hon. Friend's deep concern, do not agree that this is the right answer. He will know that urgent interdepartmental discussions are in progress, both on the application of the Health and Safety at Work Etc. 881 Act 1974 to petroleum operations generally on the Continental Shelf and on the rationalisation of regulations on diving safety. I do not want to go further than that at present.