HC Deb 01 March 1971 vol 812 cc310-1W
Mr. Stanbrook

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has received a report from the South Eastern Gas Board about the escape of a quantity of gas at high pressure following an accident at its St. Mary Cray depot on 1st February this year; whether he is aware that the escape of the gas into the surrounding residential and industrial area continued for over an hour until made safe by an engineer sent from Croydon; and whether he proposes to make regulations under Section 67(1) of the Gas Act, 1948, to avoid possible danger to local residents in the event of a recurrence.

Mr. Ridley

Such regulations would not be appropriate for this type of accident. I am asking the chairman of the area board to explain the circumstances of the accident to my hon. Friend.