HC Deb 09 January 1978 vol 941 cc611-2W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for Energy (1) how many divers are employed on operations in the North Sea; and how this position compares with 12 months ago;

(2) how many divers employed on operations in the North Sea are below the age of 21 years.

Dr. J. Dickson Mabon

The number of divers employed varies considerably with the season, and the Department of Energy does not maintain a register. It is not, therefore, possible to quote either the exact total or the number below the age of 21 years. At peak periods during 1977 the total numbers employed were in excess of 1,500, of which over 1,000 were employed in the United Kingdom sector. These numbers are much the same as those for 1976.