HC Deb 09 July 1980 vol 988 cc533-5
12. Mr. Peter Fraser

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will establish national planning guidelines or locational priorities for the further development of petrochemical plants in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Rifkind

A national planning guideline for petrochemical developments was issued by the Secretary of State in May 1977. It described the nature of petrochemical developments, gave guidance on their siting requirements and recommended that planning authorities establish the potential for petrochemical developments in their area and frame development plans accordingly. The Secretary of State is satisfied that planning authorities have taken adequate account of this advice in framing their development plans.

Mr. Fraser

Notwithstanding that helpful answer, will my hon. Friend recognise that there is considerable concern about the uncertainty that surrounds proposed petrochemical developments in Scotland, not least in my constituency over the ICI proposal for Barry Buddon? Will he use the full weight of his authority to ensure that we in Scotland do not get ourselves into the same incredible problem that pertained under the last Government over oil platform sites in Scotland and that we have in Scotland only those petrochemical developments that are necessary and profitable?

Mr. Rifkind

At this stage Tayside regional council has identified Barry Buddon as a site suitable for industrial development and has included it in its structure plan. That structure plan has been submitted only recently to the Secretary of State. We shall be taking into account all the circumstances in deciding the response of my right hon. Friend to the structure plan.

Mr. Douglas

Will the Under-Secretary of State address himself to two small points? The first relates to the amount of gas, especially ethylene, that might be available from a number of crackers that the Government might have in mind. Secondly, will he ensure that in planning guidance an indication is given to companies that they should produce publicly the hazard and operability audit that would be incumbent on any of them before they put the plant into production?

Mr. Rifkind

When there is a hazard and operability audit, one would normally expect the companies to produce that. I emphasise, however, that the guidelines are guidelines. They do not have statutory force. They are meant to be helpful advice to local authorities; and local authorities have responded accordingly.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

Will the Minister consider an additional guideline to local authorities so that when planning consent is given for petrochemical complexes, this is granted on condition that the processors collaborate and co-operate with the Scottish Development Agency to ensure that jobs are created in the tertiary sector to ensure that the plants give employment not only to a couple of hundred people, who run the plant, but to hundreds, if not thousands, who might get jobs from varied industries associated with the process?

Mr. Rifkind

My right hon. Friend is always interested in other employment implications in petrochemical development. That would probably be the appropriate way of dealing with this matter. In some areas, the Scottish Development Agency might have a part to play, but that will depend on individual circumstances.

Mr. Bill Walker

Does not my hon. Friend agree that, notwithstanding the planning implications of a petrochemical installation at Barry Buddon, there would also be a time scale problem because of the question of removing the Ministry of Defence from the site?

Mr. Rifkind

I understand that any question of the Ministry of Defence moving from the site would depend, at least partly, on an alternative site being made available. We are at an early stage in regard to any development at Barry Buddon. At this stage, there has been the reference in the Tayside regional structure plan. That is all that has happened at this moment.