§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many safety inspectors are employed in checking equipment and safety procedures on drilling rigs, production platforms and laying and lifting barges; how many visits were made to each such installation or vessel in 1978 and 1979; and whether there have been any changes in the average time spent on inspections in these years.
§ Mr. GrayThere are at present 13 inspectors of my Department's petroleum 141W engineering division making safety inspections of drilling rigs and platforms. In 1978 they made 191 visits, in 1979 the number dropped to 156, largely as a result of a change of emphasis from routine inspection to the detailed investigation of incidents, 26 of which were investigated in depth. The time spent is not recorded, but it is believed that there has been no significant change for routine visits; accident investigation often involves lengthy interviews and statement-taking both offshore and onshore.
Responsibility for inspecting laying and lifting barges rests with the Health and Safety Commission. There are four Her Majesty's inspectors of factories involved in their inspection. In 1978 they made six visits to five vessels, in 1979 five visits to five vessels. There has been no change in the pattern of visits over the two years.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy how many drilling rigs applied for a certificate of fitness in 1979; how many were refused because they did not meet approved standards; and how many were granted dispensations from attaining approved standards in one or more respects and were granted certificates of fitness.
§ Mr. GrayOnly two drilling rigs applied for certificates of fitness in 1979, one certificate was granted, one is still under consideration. There were no dispensations asked for or given.