§ 15. Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will decline to deal with the Mobil Oil Company, pending the outcome of its negotiations to locate a liquid petroleum gas tanker in the Solent.
§ Mr. AdleyNow that Mobil has backed off in the face of unanimous hostile opposition to this proposal, will my hon. Friend give the assurance that his Department, in its dealings with oil companies, takes note of their social activities? Will he say that he considers this proposal thoroughly anti-social?
Will my hon. Friend give a personal assurance that he will have talks with the Secretary of State for Transport, 595 who has been given responsibility for co-ordinating Government activity, to make sure that environmentally monstrous proposals such as this cannot proceed? Will he agree that the only course is to legislate quickly to enable authorities and others to have powers to deal with the situation?
§ Mr. GrayI can give my hon. Friend both assurances. It is the policy of the Department of Energy to scrutinise carefully any proposals put to it by oil companies. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has already set up a working party of officials to review urgently the existing arrangements and to recommend any changes that are felt necessary. Possible controls exist in legislation falling to the Health and Safety Executive and the Departments of Trade and Transport. I shall ensure that the views of the Department of Energy are always made available to my right hon. Friends.
§ Mr. ViggersWill my hon. Friend agree that while there may be powers to cover proposals such as the gas tanker, there is a need for legislation to ensure that the broader environmental input is considered?
§ Mr. GrayMy hon. Friend will, I think, agree that we would be wise to await the findings of the group set up by the Secretary of State for Transport.