§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether representations have been made by the British Gas Corporation to the Health and Safety Executive to reactivate the liquid petroleum gas pipeline from Canvey Island, which was closed down for safety reasons at the time of the Canvey investigation; what reasons have been given for recommissioning the pipeline; and whether he will give an assurance that no approval will be given by the Health and Safety Executive until the local authorities concerned have been consulted and the report of the inspector at the recent public inquiry has been received and studied by the Government.
§ Mr. MayhewThe British Gas Corporation has approached the Health and Safety Executive about a scheme to supply a peak load liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) /air plant at Beckton from the methane terminal at Canvey. Plants such as this are desigued to augment natural gas with a suitable mixture of LPG and air in such a way that customers' appliances can still operate safely. Natural gas and LPG would be mixed together at Canvey, and the mixture, which would be lighter than air, would be transmitted to Beckton via a gas main.
452WBritish Gas would obtain the LPG (butane) from the Shell refinery. Only that part of the former Canvey to Beckton and Romford pipeline which is between the number 1 gate of the refinery and the methane terminal would be recommissioned.
The Health and Safety Executive is considering the matter and has requested further information from British Gas and will be consulting the local authorities concerned before advising whether or not the proposal is acceptable on health and safety grounds.
The Executive will have to be satisfied as to the safety of this restored length of pipeline; it expects, however, to be able to come to a decision on this without awaiting the publication of the report of the inspector who conducted the recent inquiry.