§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether any appraisal has been made recently or will be made by the Major Hazards Branch of the Factory Inspectorate of the multiple industrial risks at Canvey Island and in particular of the intention to introduce two new oil refineries and the accompanying traffic by water and by road of hazardous cargoes despite the existence of known industrial risks.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that the hazard potential arising from the various industrial installations on Canvey Island is kept under review by inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive using the powers in the Health 441W and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Control over further industrial development is primarily a matter for the planning authority which can seek advice from the Health and Safety Executive on safety aspects.
The question whether planning permission for a second oil refinery should be revoked was the subject of an exploratory inquiry last year on which the decision of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is awaited.