§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he has formulated guidelines for oil companies on underwater pipelines and the installation at regular intervals of shut-down valves on such pipelines.
§ Mr. StrangThe code of practice for submarine pipelines, published by the Institute of Petroleum, is recognised by oil companies and by my Department as a sound basis for ensuring safe and reliable pipelines. Expert advice is against the installation of shut-down valves on the sea bed; they would only create unnecessary hazards to fishing.