§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether in the light of the report of the Norwegian authorities on the 'Alexander L. Kielland' oil rig disaster, showing the need to establish a single authority to adminster oil rig safety, he will seek to transfer the responsibilities of his Department concerning health and safety on offshore oil installations to the Health and Safety Commission.
§ Mr. GrayA single agency, as recommended for Norway in the "Kielland" report, already exists to look after all aspects of the safety of offshore oil installations in United Kingdom waters—the operations and safety branch of the petroleum engineering division of the Department of Energy. In response to recommendations of the Burgoyne report, it has been strengthened by the secondment of four experienced inspectors from the 43W Health and Safety Executive, and, in recognition of the minority report of Burgoyne, is answerable to the Health and Safety Commission on policy matters, subject to my overall control. I intend no change in these arrangements.