§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Energy what changes he intends to make in the regulations concerning the qualifications for divers working from offshore installations; and specifically, if he will introduce a licensing arrangement for divers to be administered by the Training Services Agency in consultation with the relevant industrial and trade union interests.
§ Mr. John SmithTraining standards for divers are being developed by the Training Services Agency of the Manpower Services Commission. Proposals to amend the regulations on this point will be discussed with the relevant industrial and trades union interests. At present regulations require employers to employ divers who either have previous experience in the use of the relevant equipment and breathing mixtures and a knowledge of diving practice, including decompression procedures, or are under340W the direct supervision of a diver with such experience. I am not clear that a licensing system would offer significant advantages over this existing requirement, but I will consider the proposal when suitable training standards have been established.