§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) whether, in the light of the totality of risk to the people in the area, he will now revoke the planning permission given to United Refineries Ltd. to build an oil refinery on Canvey Island as was recommended to his predecessor by his Department's inspector at the exploratory inquiry in 1975;
81W(2) if he will give an assurance that he will call in and refuse all planning applications for oil, chemical, gas and other hazardous industrial development on Canvey Island until all the safety improvements envisaged in the recent report of the Health and Safety Executive on the risks to people living in the area have been implemented.
§ Mr. ShoreI refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment to him on 20th June 1978.—[Vol. 952, c. 122–3.] I am studying the recommendations in the report from the HSE relating to projected developments in Canvey Island before deciding the appropriate action to adopt on outstanding and future planning matters on Canvey Island.
§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in the light of the existing hazards to people living on and around Canvey Island and the fact that even after the improvements suggested by the Health and Safety Executive in their recent report some hazards will remain, he will call a conference of the local authorities involved to discuss emergency plans and the urgent need to provide a new road off the island.
§ Mr. ShoreThe Health and Safety Executive in its report on Canvey Island proposed that further discussions about the value of another road, and emergency planning generally, should be held. These are presently taking place with the local authorities who are responsible for these matters in the first instance. I shall, of course, consider the results, together with my colleagues as soon as they are available.