§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied with the situation whereby the responsibility for law and order on all oil rigs and platforms off the coast of Scotland rests with the Chief Constable of Aberdeen; if he will review this situation: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RossSince 1967 it has been arranged that the policing responsibility for oil rigs off the coast should lie with the police force for the area from164W which each rig is operated. This arrangement was reviewed and endorsed last year at a conference of police officers convened by the Chief Constable of Aberdeen. At present he accepts the responsibility in this matter for almost all the rigs off the Scottish coast. I propose to consider with him whether this arrangement should continue until May 1975 when it is bound to be altered anyway when the Aberdeen City Police disappear as a separate force as a consequence of local government reorganisation.