HC Deb 17 July 1978 vol 954 cc24-30W
Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment on what date discussions were opened by the Health and Safety Executive with the British Gas Corporation on the specific point of the corporation significantly reducing the risks to the people of Canvey Island from the methane terminal.

Mr. John Grant

I understand from the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that discussions were opened by the Health and Safety Executive with the British Gas Corporation on 25th May 1978 on the specific point of the Corporation significantly reducing the risks from its activities at Canvey Island.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether the Health and Safety Executive has yet served notice on the British Gas Corporation to empty the pipeline containing liquefied petroleum gas from its methane terminal on Canvey Island and to take it out of service in order to remove the potential hazard to explosion for people who live near the route of the pipeline; and by what date such action is to be completed.

Mr. John Grant

I understand from the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that following the discussions between the Health and Safety Executive and the British Gas Corporation on 25th May 1978, the Corporation has informed the Executive that it will be taking steps to empty and take out of service the liquefied petroleum gas pipeline. A section of the line has already been emptied and the work is proceeding. It is expected that the whole of the line from Canvey Island to east Greenwich will be completely emptied within two months. In view of the undertaking given by the Corporation and the progress already made in this matter, the Health and Safety Executive will not be serving a notice on the British Gas Corporation.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the statutory powers which the Health and Safety Executive possesses to require the British Gas Corporation to raise the level of containment dykes round the above ground liquefied gas tanks at Canvey Island close to residential population; and when these powers are going to be used.

Mr. John Grant

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that the statutory powers available to the Health and Safety Executive to require the British Gas Corporation to raise the level of containment dykes round the above ground liquefied gas tanks at Canvey Island are contained in section 21 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974.

The measures required as a result of the report on the investigation of hazards of the in-ground and above-ground tanks of liquefied gas at Canvey Island have been notified to the British Gas Corporation and discussion on their implementation are currently taking place.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the statutory powers of the Health and Safety Executive enabling it to require the British Gas Corporation to reduce the present volume of liquefied gas transhipped and stored at the Canvey methane terminal close to the homes of 33,000; and who, in the event of a disagreement between the Executive and the Corporation over safe limits, would determine the matter.

Mr. John Grant

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that the statutory powers available to the Health and Safety Executive to require the British Gas Corporation to reduce the present volume of liquefied gas transhipped and stored at the Canvey methane terminal are contained in section 21 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974. In the event of a disagreement by the British Gas Corporation with improvements required in any notices issued by the Health and Safety Executive, the matter would be determined by an industrial tribunal.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the Health and Safety Executive possesses adequate power to require companies on Thames-side transhipping and storing liquefied ammonia to install water spray systems to minimise the accidental release of ammonia vapour into the atmosphere affecting people who live in and around Canvey Island; and whether these powers will be used without delay.

Mr. John Grant

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that he is satisfied that the Health and Safety Executive has adequate powers under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 to require companies on Thames-side transhipping and storing liquefied ammonia to install water spray systems to minimise the accidental release of ammonia vapour into the atmosphere.

The measures required as a result of the report on the investigation of hazards from operations at Canvey Island have been notified to those companies transhipping and storing liquefied ammonia and discussions on their implementation are currently taking place.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the Health and Safety Executive has adequate powers to require companies on Thames-side to take effective steps to prevent the accidental release of hydrogen fluoride from the existing alkylation plant in Thurrock affecting people who live in and around Canvey Island by installing appropriate equipment; and whether these powers will be used without delay.

Mr. John Grant

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that there is only one alkylation plant in Thurrock and that he is satisfied that the Health and Safety Executive has adequate powers under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974, to require the company to take effective steps to mitigate the effects of any accidental release of hydrogen fluoride from the existing alkylation plant in Thurrock affecting people who live in and around Canvey Island by installing appropriate equipment.

The measures required as a result of the report on the investigation of hazards from operations at Canvey Island have been notified to the companies concerned and discussions on their implementation are currently taking place.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the Health and Safety Executive has adequate powers to require all oil companies that are preparing to build alkylation plants on Canvey Island to install the appropriate equipment to prevent the accidental release of hydrogen fluoride affecting people who live on and around Canvey Island; and whether the companies have been told that these powers will be used.

Mr. John Grant

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that he is satisfied that the Health and Safety Executive has adequate powers under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 to require oil companies that are preparing to build alkylation plants on Canvey Island to install the appropriate equipment to mitigate the effects of any accidental release of hydrogen fluoride affecting people who live on and around Canvey Island.

The one company so far concerned is fully aware of the standards which the Health and Safety Executive will require, and the Health and Safety Executive will, if necessary, use its legal powers to have these standards implemented. The Health and Safety Executive has also made clear its views that planning permission should not be granted unless the standards which the HSE recommend are complied with.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the Health and Safety Executive has adequate powers to implement the suggestion made in its recent report on the risks from fire and explosion to people living in and around Canvey Island that a new protective wall should be built round the oil storage site operated by Texaco Ltd.; if these will now be used without delay; and if such powers are inadequate, he will seek to strengthen them.

Mr. John Grant

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that he is satisfied that the Health and Safety Executive has adequate powers under the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 to require that a new protective wall should be built round the oil storage site operated by Texaco Ltd.

The measures required as a result of the report on the investigation of hazards from operations at Canvey Island have been notified to Texaco Ltd., and discussions on their implementation are currently taking place.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the Health and Safety Executive has adequate powers to implement the suggestion made in its recent report on the risks from fire and explosion to living in and around Canvey Island that a new protective wall should be built round the chemical storage tanks on the site operated by London and Coastal Oil Wharves Ltd.; if these will now be used without delay; and if such powers are inadequate, he will seek to strengthen them.

Mr. John Grant

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me he is satisfied that the Health and Safety Executive has adequate powers under the Health and Safety At Work, etc. Act 1974 to require that a new protective wall should be built round the boundaries of the site operated by London and Coastal Oil Wharves Ltd.

The measures required as a result of the report on the investigation of hazards from operations at Canvey Island have been notified to London and Coastal Oil Wharves Ltd. and discussions on their implementation are currently taking place.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that the Health and Safety Executive has adequate powers to implement the suggestion made in its recent report on the risks from fire and explosion to people living in and around Canvey Island that a new protective wall should be built round the site operated by the British Gas Corporation for the transhipment and storage of liquefied gases; if these will now be used without delay; and if such powers are inadequate, he will seek to strengthen them.

Mr. John Grant

The chairman of the Health and Safety Commission informs me that the report of the investigation of potential hazards from operations at the Canvey Island and Thurrock areas does not recommend that a new protective wall should be built round the whole of the site operated by the British Gas Corporation, for transhipment and storage of liquefied gases.

The building of containment walls of an appropriate height around the in-ground storage tanks, possible changes in the liquefied petroleum gas storage arrangement, the carrying out of a special study of the ways of minimising the consequences of any release of liquified gases from ships at the jetty and the implementation of any necessary remedial action resulting from the study are suggested.

The measures required as a result of the report on the investigation of hazards from operations at Canvey Island have been notified to the British Gas Corporation and discussions on their implementation are currently taking place. The chairman is satisfied that the Health and Safety Executive has adequate powers to implement the measures necessary in relation to these matters.

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will instruct the Health and Safety Executive to conduct an annual safety audit of oil, chemical and gas installations on Canvey Island and in Thurrock to ensure that the improvements recommended in its recent report on the risks to people living in the area are being implemented, and to make such information available to Parliament.

Mr. John Grant

I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.