§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will seek co-ordination between all countries with oil and gas territories in the North and Celtic Seas in order to economise in the provision of a fleet of fire-fighting vessels costing up to £20 million each.
§ Mr. John SmithThe International Conference on Safety and Pollution Safeguards in the Development of North-West European Offshore Mineral Resources held in London in March 1973 set up three working groups in which the United Kingdom is already participating. Group II is concerned with fire-fighting equipment and fire protection. The working groups provide a forum for the exchange of ideas with a view to possible harmonisation of standards. The United Kingdom Offshire Operators Association has also been in touch with operators in other sectors of the North Sea with a view to obtaining their co-operation over plans to purchase fire-fighting vessels for use in474W the North Sea. I understand that the cost of each vessel under consideration will be considerably less than £20 million.
§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether he is satisfied with his powers regarding fire risk precautions on North Sea oil offshore production facilities; how many fire-fighting vessels are at present in existence; and how many are contemplated.
§ Mr. John SmithYes. My right hon. Friend is satisfied with his powers regarding fire risk precautions. No purpose-built vessels exist at present for fire fighting on the very tall installations designed for the northern sector of the North Sea. A large number of vessels is available for fire fighting in relation to the much lower installations in the southern sector. As explained in my answer of 12th May to the hon. Member for Ross and Cromarty (Mr. Gray), the United Kingdom Offshore Operators' Association is actively considering tenders with the object of purchasing as soon as possible five purpose-built vessels for use in the northern sector.