§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will direct the Health and Safety Executive to undertake a detailed inquiry into the safety of frozen methane gas storage both below and above ground at the British Gas Corporation's methane terminal on Canvey Island;
(2) what detailed research has been undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive into the problems of frozen 166W methane gas storage at Canvey Island; what estimate the Executive has made of the implications of such problems for the adjoining residential area; and why the report on the totality of risk posed by this and other high fire hazard installations on Canvey Island commissioned by him nearly two years ago continues to be delayed.
§ Mr. John GrantI understand from the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the British Gas Corporation methane terminal on Canvey Island is one of the installations currently under investigation for the purpose of the report on the totality of risk in the area, and there is no reason, therefore, for a separate inquiry by the Health and Safety Executive. The need for further research will be considered when the report is available The investigation will include an assessment of the risks to the adjoining residential areas.
As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member's Question of 16th December 1977—[Vol. 941, c. 448.]—the report has been held up by the need for the investigating team to hold further discussions with the companies concerned. Meanwhile, operations at the terminal are kept under scrutiny by the HSE Inspectorate as part of its enforcement of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.