HL Deb 30 July 1980 vol 412 cc1033-4WA
Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any observation is being made of the toll being taken of migratory and other birdlife by the gas flares on oil rigs in the North Sea; and if so, what is the estimated extent of the destruction of birdlife from calcining fire in flight across the sea.

Lord MOWBRAY and STOURTON

Present evidence suggests that the overall number of migratory birds killed as a result of gas flares is probably not significant, but more investigation is necessary. The NCC will be collecting further observations on this issue, in addition to a three-year research project into the distribution of sea birds at sea.