Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consideration his Department has given to the environmental implications of North sea oil platform decommissioning; and if he will make a statement. [40326]
§ Mr. ClappisonMy Department's environmental responsibilities are taken into account in the proposals by the Department of Trade and Industry for guidelines on decommissioning issued for comment in May. My Department continues to be involved in evaluating the response to the consultation.
The Government announced on 18 October that an independent group is to be set up to review the scientific aspects of disposal of offshore installations as a bench mark for assessment of future proposals.