HC Deb 21 October 1975 vol 898 cc232-3
18. Mr. Aitken

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set up a specially equipped force to protect North Sea oil rigs and pipelines from possible terrorist attacks.

Mr. William Rodgers

No, Sir.

Mr. Aitken

Does the Minister agree that the problems of security on oil rigs and pipelines are in certain important respects unique, and that in particular there needs to be a regular review of the liaison arrangements among the civil police, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy and Government Departments? Will he undertake to keep the liaison arrangements under close review, and in doing so will he pay particular attention to the recent lectures and articles by Professor Donald Watt of the London School of Economics, who spelled out the case for such a special force in some detail?

Mr. Rodgers

The problems certainly are unique. Equally, to review present arrangements is right, and we have frequent and continuing consultation with the Offshore Operations Association, among others. The answer to all the hon. Member's questions must therefore be "Yes".

Mr. McNamara

Will my right hon. Friend comment on the success of the security forces in dealing with the bomb hoax on the rigs in the North Sea during the recess?

Mr. Rodgers

My hon. Friend is correst in saying that this was a successful operation. In so far as there were lessons to be learnt, they will be learnt.

Mr. Kershaw

In view of the Minister's answer, what is the purpose of the force of five or six ships that have been ordered?

Mr. Rodgers

The hon. Member for Thanet, East (Mr. Aitken) asked whether we would set up a specially equipped force. The answer to that Question is that I made a statement on 11th February making special provision for this purpose. The answer I gave to the hon. Member was therefore correct.