HC Deb 11 December 1968 vol 775 cc147-8W
Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the result of the inquiry appointed by him to investigate the loss of the standby vessel "Hector Gannet", as a result of which two members of the crew lost their lives; how many such accidents and losses have occurred near oil drills in the North Sea; and what precautions he has taken in conjunction with the Minister of Power to prevent a recurrence of such accidents.

Mr. William Rodgers

We are studying the report of the preliminary inquiry and, in conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Power, we are considering whether there are any lessons to be learnt.

Apart from some minor incidents, there has been one other case of a vessel being lost when giving aid to an offshore drilling rig. There was no loss of life.