§ Mr. PrescottTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what are the terms of reference of the public inquiry into the Piper Alpha accident; and when it will begin.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe terms of reference for the public inquiry are set out in the instrument of appointment for Lord Cullen, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. A date for the start of the inquiry has yet to be decided. There is much preparatory work to be done. I am also anxious that the results of the technical investigation into the cause of the accident should be available at an early stage of the proceedings of the inquiry.
§ Mr. PrescottTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will now make available the recent inspector's safety report on the Piper Alpha rig to both the public and safety health commission inquiries.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe report has already been made available to the technical investigation team headed by the director of my safety directorate and will be available to the public inquiry.