HC Deb 28 January 1976 vol 904 cc213-4W
Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on the death of a diver operating from the vessel "Smit Lloyd" on 17th January 1976; and what form of inquiry is to take place.

Mr. John Smith

The two divers involved in this incident were working on a flow line in the Argyll Field. They were operating from a diving bell at a depth of 78 metres when the weights on the bell broke away. The bell surfaced rapidly and one man died from the consequent decompression. The other is still seriously ill.

The procurator fiscal is investigating the causes of the accident in conjunction with a diving inspector from my Department, and with the full co-operation of the diving company and ships master. Once their investigations are complete the Lord Advocate will be able to consider holding a fatal accident inquiry either under the provisions of the Continental Shelf (Jurisdiction) (Amendment) Order 1975 or, if and when enacted, under the retrospective powers contained in Clause 1(2) of the Fatal Accidents and Sudden Deaths Inquiry (Scotland) Bill.

In the meantime the Director of the Petroleum Engineering Directorate of my Department has given instructions that no diving is to take place from similar bells until the weights have been properly secured.

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