HL Deb 30 October 1985 vol 467 cc1556-8

11.16 a.m.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will appoint a public inquiry before a decision is taken on the location of a BP oil terminal in Dorset.

The Minister of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Elton)

My Lords, British Petroleum is currently seeking to establish the extent of the reserves on the Wytch Farm oilfield and the need for additional means of transporting the oil away from it. If, as a result, it wishes to install a new pipeline it will need the consent of my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Energy, and any local planning authority can, by objection, ensure that a public inquiry is held.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that Answer. Is he aware that in this area of great natural beauty there is considerable public concern about each of the four options that British Petroleum has publicised—one by rail and three by pipeline? There is concern for the amenities of the New Forest and for the seashore around Poole and Portland. Can the Minister assure the House that the conservation issue will be foremost in his mind and that of the Government when they come to make a decision?

Lord Elton

My Lords, the procedures under the Pipelines Act 1962 provide, as I said, for a public inquiry. If any of the local authorities wish one to take place they have merely to object to what is proposed. I suggest that that will be for the forum in which these concerns should properly be brought forward.

The Earl of Lauderdale

My Lords, does my noble friend not agree that whatever form the terminal takes, new work generates new jobs?

Lord Elton

My Lords, yes.

Lord Northfield

My Lords, is it not the case that, to the relief of many of us who have been working on the matter for so many years, the Council of the European Economic Community has recently passed a directive on environment impact assessment? Is not this pre-eminently the kind of project that will be covered by that directive, in which case there will be a compulsory need for an environment impact assessment before this scheme or any scheme like it is allowed to go ahead?

Lord Elton

My Lords, until the extent of the reserves is proved it really would be premature to say what impact, if any, there may be on the environment; but I accept that if they are extensive there may be an impact, and that must be considered.

Baroness Nicol

My Lords, does the noble Lord the Minister recall the words of his noble predecessor on 23rd October last year when he said, in relation to oil and gas exploration, which we were discussing at the time, that, such choices are best made by those elected by the communities most affected"?—[Official Report, 23/10/84; col. 190.] He went on to say that this was Government policy. If the noble Lord the Minister can confirm that this is still Government policy it would go a long way, I think, to meet the worries that are being expressed from the Benches here.

Lord Elton

My Lords, I must frankly say that I do not recall the sentence, and as I do not have the context I should not comment except to say that my noble friend was almost invariably right. As to the process that I have described, it is the elected bodies which are invited to object and precipitate a public inquiry.

Lord Northfield

My Lords, I am sorry to return to the noble Lord, but he did not really answer me adequately. Is it not important to reassure the people of an area such as this that this kind of protect is pre-eminently one that is covered by the new EC directive and that they should therefore feel assured that the procedure set out in that directive, involving a full environment impact assessment, will be followed before there is any question of allowing the kind of development that is the subject of the Question?

Lord Elton

My Lords, I can certainly confirm that Her Majesty's Government have a very close concern and are anxious to emphasise their concern for environment impact. This will certainly be kept in the forefront of our minds.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, while not taking any side on the various options that have been put forward, will the noble Lord agree that although we all want to see employment increased in areas like this, employment can also be lost if the environment is damaged, as well as gained through commercial enterprises? Will he assure the House that in any public inquiry local opinion will be given full weight rather than, as has been the case in some previous instances, the power of large multinational companies used to influence a public inquiry and the Minister who eventually makes a decision?

Lord Elton

My Lords, I can certainly undertake on behalf of my right honourable friend that he will give full and proper weight to all the representations made to him.