§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Energy if, in view of the British National Oil Corporation's order of a semi-submersible drilling rig of a type similar to that which collapsed off the coast of North America, he will set up an inquiry with the aim of avoiding a similar accident occurring in United Kingdom waters.
§ Mr. GrayThe unit will be subject to statutory survey, by one of my appointed certifying authorities, American Bureau of Shipping. The principle and practice of independent certification were unanimously endorsed by the Burgoyne committee on offshore installations in March 1980 and I intend to hold no further inquiry. Engineers of my petroleum engineering division are in touch with the Canadian authorities and will apply any lessons to be learned from the recent tragic accident off Canada.