§ 91 and 93. Mr. Milneasked the Minister of Power (1) what safety regulations he prescribes for oil rigs in the North Sea in order to provide for severe weather conditions; and what standards are laid down for home- and foreign-owned rigs, respectively;
(2) if he will introduce legislation covering the safety conditions required by oil rigs operating in the North Sea.
§ Dr. BrayMy right hon. Friend is not satisfied that further legislation is warranted at the present time but is keeping the position under review. He has instructed all licensees to carry out all operations in accordance with the provisions of the Institute of Petroleum Code of Safe Practice for Marine Areas.
§ 95. Mr. Leadbitterasked the Minister of Power what immediate steps he will take to enforce standards of safety on all oil rigs of companies holding licences to drill in the North Sea in order to avoid unnecessary risks to lifeboatmen of the kind experienced recently in connection with 'Neptune I' and to establish the highest measure of protection to the rigmen during the coming winter.
§ Dr. BrayMy right hon. Friend is satisfied that all licensees are complying with the instructions he has issued regarding the safety of persons employed on these platforms. Any operations at sea have some inherent risk to them and a call to the air or sea rescue services to stand by in bad weather is a reasonable safety precaution.