HC Deb 18 July 1978 vol 954 cc205-6W
Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) why, since the terms of reference of the recent Health and Safety Executive inquiry into the risks to people living on and around Canvey Island referred specifically to their health as well as to their safety, no investigation was made into the nuisance and sickness caused by noxious emissions into the atmosphere from the excessive concentration of hazardous industrial activity in the area; and which have been the subject of repeated complaints;

(2) if he will list the areas of uncertainty upon which further work remains to be done, referred to on page v of the Health and Safety Executive's recent report on the risks to the health and safety of the people who live on and around Canvey Island from hazardous industrial activities in the area;

(3) if he will list the qualifications of the 30 engineers, chemists and other specialists who were utilised by the Health and Safety Executive at various stages of their recent investigation into the safety of the people who live in and around Canvey Island from hazardous industrial activities in the area;

(4) which industrial plants in the area from Stanford le Hope to Canvey Island are required under the proposed hazard regulations to carry out detailed hazard surveys; and in each case whether such surveys have been completed by the management concerned.

Mr. John Grant

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

Sir Bernard Braine

asked the Secretary of State for Employment for what reason appendix 10 to the Health and Safety Executive report on the risks to people living on and around Canvey Island from the existing and proposed industrial activities in the area was omitted from the published document; what was the subject of the missing appendix; and if it can now be published.

Mr. John Grant

I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that an early draft of the report contained as appendix 10 a document commenting on the assessment of hazards associated with liquefied natural gas, prepared by the British Gas Corporation during the course of the investigating team's inquiries. It was decided that its inclusion in the final report would not be appropriate, but printing had by then reached a stage at which it was too late for the appendices to be renumbered.

I am arranging for a copy of the document to be placed in the Library.

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,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 17th July 1978], gave the following information:

I am assured by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the executive will not only keep under continuing review action on its recent report, but also include the installations in its programme of priority inspections. I am asking the chairman to make arrangements for the hon. Members most directly concerned to be kept informed of progress.