HC Deb 13 January 1977 vol 923 cc552-3W
Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many divers died in connection with oil and gas exploration and exploitation operations in the waters off Northern Europe last year and in the previous five years.

Dr. J. Dickson Mabon

The following table gives the information known to me.

A figure of three was given for deaths in the United Kingdom sector in 1971 in Table 4 on page 15 of the Brown Book, but recent researches by my Department have revealed that two deaths which occurred in the Norwegian sector has inadvertently been recorded as having occurred in both the United Kingdom and the Norwegian sectors. The table above reflects the correction of this error.

The figures given should be considered both in relation to the much higher levels of activity in the United Kingdom sector as against other areas and the marked increase in the number of divers working offshore and the greater working depths achieved since 1971. For example, in 1971 I estimate that about 80 divers were working in the North Sea of whom perhaps 10 per cent. or less were diving deeper than 100 metres. In 1976 I estimate that there were some 1,000 to 1,200 divers of whom about half were diving deeper than 100 metres. However, even when due regard is paid to these higher levels of activity, I am sure the House will join me in deploring the number of divers who have lost their lives in the United Kingdom and other North European offshore sectors.

Diving in the often treacherous conditions of the North Sea will always involve a level of risk. For its part, the United Kingdom Government are committed to making offshore diving as safe as possible through the introduction of high standards of operating safety and practice.

To this end, the Government have introduced comprehensive regulations which are the first of their kind in the world. I believe they are already helping to make offshore diving in United Kingdom waters a less hazardous occupation. It is gratifying to learn that our regulations are being used as a basis for standards being adopted by many other countries.