§ Mr. Woofasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he can give any information about the results of inspections of pipeline risers carried out by operators in the North Sea.
§ Mr. BennAs the hon. Member recognises, pipeline risers are included in the regular programme of inspection which North Sea operators are required to carry out and to report on to my Department. Recently notice has been received that some corrosion has been unexpectedly developing. Remedial action is now being taken to forestall a situation which could give grounds for concern. It is also the Department's practice to alert 1091W all United Kingdom offshore operators concerned and other interested parties to matters of this kind.