§ Mr. Campbellasked the Secretary of State for Energy when he will make regulations under the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 concerning the provision and examination of life-saving appliances on offshore installations on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf.
§ Mr. BennI laid the Offshore Installations (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1977, which come into operation on 1st June 1977, before the House today. These require the provision on offshore installations on the United Kingdom Continental Shelf of certain life-saving appliances, including survival craft, life buoys and life jackets, of alarm and public address systems and of plans of life-saving appliances. The required appliances and plans have to be examined before 1st June 1978 or the installation concerned may not be manned. Thereafter the requirement is for a biennial examination. The regulations also lay duties and obligations on licensees, owners and managers to ensure that the Provisions of the regulations are observed.
The examination of life-saving appliances and plans will require the exercise of specialist expertise which is concentrated in my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade. With his agreement, therefore, I have authorised Department of Trade marine surveyors to conduct examinations and issue certificates on my behalf. The foregoing does not disturb the arrangements described 616W in the Prime Minister's statement of 30th July 1976 under which responsibility for inspecting offshore installations rests with my Petroleum Engineering Division which will accordingly enforce the new regulations.