Piper Alpha Inquiry: Information Access (Hansard, 31 October 1988)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Energy (Baroness Hooper)
My Lords, no representations have been addressed to the Department of Energy about information not being available to trade unions which represent the injured and bereaved. My department will make available to Lord Cullen, the chairman of the inquiry, any document at its disposal which he needs in order to complete his inquiry. It is for Lord Cullen to decide on the dissemination of any information made available to him which may be relevant to the inquiry. I am not aware that Lord Cullen has refused access to any relevant information in his possession.

§ Lord Dean of Beswick
My Lords, I am extremely grateful to the noble Baroness for that reply. However, will she not agree that this appalling disaster has all the features of one of the all-too-frequent mining disasters of yesteryear, with 167 bodies still entombed in a steel housing? In the light of what the noble Baroness has said regarding the inquiry being carried out by Lord Cullen, will she ask the Secretary of State to consider making some of the information being gathered by Lord Cullen available on an interim basis so as to reduce, at least to some extent, the harrowing time being experienced by the relatives of the people killed in the disaster?

§ Baroness Hooper
My Lords, I feel sure that the noble Lord, Lord Dean of Beswick, speaks for all of us in offering sympathy to those bereaved and injured as a result of the accident. Obviously the Government, and everyone concerned with this sad event, wish to deal as sympathetically as possible with the issues arising therefrom. The noble Lord, Lord Cullen, has already made the department's own interim report widely available. I can assure the noble Lord that the representations he has made today will be brought to the attention of Lord Cullen.

Lord Campbell of Croy
My Lords, is my noble friend aware that the Piper Alpha disaster has cast a dark shadow over northern Scotland, especially in the City of Aberdeen—a shadow which persists as bodies are now being recovered? Is she further aware that the Government will receive full support from people in that area, including the offshore industry, in making safety the top priority?

§ Baroness Hooper
My Lords, we are indeed aware of the shadow that this serious accident has cast. The Government's overriding concern has been to make the fullest and earliest use of whatever lessons can be learnt from this tragic event. If changes or new regulations prove necessary, they will be made. The Department of Energy has already asked operators to review urgently pipeline isolation systems, and has written to the industry to highlight six areas of work which should be immediately reviewed in the light of the interim report of the technical investigation of the accident. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State has already indicated to Parliament that if the public inquiry can recommend improvements to the present safety regime, then those will be accepted.

§ Baroness Turner of Camden
My Lords, is the Minister aware that many employees in the industry are engaged on short-term contracts and therefore many of them feel very nervous about coming forward with complaints, because they fear victimisation and intimidation? Should this aspect not be taken account of in the inquiry?

§ Baroness Hooper
My Lords, I feel sure that that aspect will be taken into account. If any employee feels concerned about safety on an offshore installation under any circumstances, he may contact the Department of Energy offshore safety directorate. Each installation displays the telephone number and anonymity is guaranteed. Workers offshore also have the normal protection provided by the Employment Protection Act.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, can the noble Baroness confirm—or will she deny—reports which have appeared in the press over the weekend that Occidental are constructing a new platform for the Piper field which is to go on the site formerly occupied by Piper Alpha? If so, will the Government persuade Occidental to look very closely at the Norwegian design for platforms in order to ensure that proper safety precautions are taken on the new installation?

§ Baroness Hooper
My Lords, I am not in a position either to confirm or deny those reports which have appeared in the press. But obviously Occidental, or anyone in Occidental's situation, will look carefully at all relevant considerations in constructing any new platforms or rigs. However, I am aware that Occidental has announced that it will meet the costs of legal representation of bereaved families, and survivors, at the public inquiry.

§ Lord Dean of Beswick
My Lords, I am sure that the Minister is aware that my purpose in asking the Question was not to introduce the issue of financial settlements; that is not the purpose of the Question. Indeed, I am glad that no one has touched upon it. However, the Minister will be aware that the energy industry in the broadest sense has always been a dangerous industry in which to work, and this is not the first serious accident where many people have been killed. The purpose behind the Question, as I am sure the Minister is aware, is to prevent a disaster of this kind ever happening again. Can the Minister therefore ensure that the fullest information is available at all times to those representing the people involved in the disaster? Nothing less will satisfy.

§ Baroness Hooper
My Lords, as I have already said, the department is prepared to make any information available to Lord Cullen. During the period before the public inquiry starts and during the time of the inquiry, obviously it is for Lord Cullen to decide what may be disseminated.