§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review his policy in respect of health and safety measures on oil production vessels; and if he will make a statement. [60807]
§ Mr. MealeHealth and safety measures on all offshore oil and gas installations, including production vessels, in UK waters are kept under constant review by the Health and Safety Commission and its Executive. These installations are subject to a modern regime of goal-setting health and safety regulations introduced in response to Lord Cullen's recommendations following the Piper Alpha disaster in July 1988. In particular, no installation may operate in UK waters without a safety case which has been accepted by the Executive. The effectiveness of this regime is currently being evaluated. If as a result of this evaluation the Commission decides to make proposals for further health and safety measures offshore I will given them the most serious consideration.