§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Energy what are the criteria of selection for "certifying authorities" for offshore installations; how many there are; if he intends to change the criteria; and, if so, for what reason.
§ Mr. BennThe criteria are: impartiality and independence from the designers and manufacturers of structures and equipment; experience and all-round competence to undertake design assessment in a critical manner, recognising problems which call for specialist advice; ability to supervise all aspects of construction in all likely types of materials and to exercise control of materials on a world-wide basis; and experience and capacity to mobilise and apply the necessary skills in a coherent and co-ordinated manner.
The present five certifying authorities—Lloyds Register of Shipping; American Bureau of Shipping; Bureau Veritas; Det Norske Veritas. Germanischer Lloyd—were selected on the basis of these criteria. We have for some time been considering a further appointment, as my predecessor indicated in June 1974 when announcing the names of the present certifying authorities, and the same criteria will apply to the selection of a suitable organisation for the purpose.