HC Deb 13 February 1978 vol 944 c66W
17. Mr. Gray

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the present and future provision of maintenance support and fire-fighting vessels within the United Kingdom sector of the North Sea; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. J. Dickson Mabon

I announced to the House on 28th July 1977 that all operators' contingency plans have been called in and reviewed. I attended on 10th January in Aberdeen a meeting of UKOOA and offshore operators and developers, when the current availability, capability, response times and planned provision of on-platform fire-fighting equipment, fire-fighting vessels and other emergency vessels and equipment were outlined to me. Operators' individual and joint arrangements will be kept under review, but I am content that satisfactory provisions are being, and will be made, for existing fields and those due on stream.