§ 68. Mr. John Browneasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether, in view of the significant amounts of oil on shore in the United Kingdom, his Department has issued any guidelines to oil companies for the safety and protection of local environments and their inhabitants with respect to onshore drilling operations.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneNo such guidelines have been issued. However, the drilling of oil wells cannot be commenced without the consent of the Secretary of State for Energy, and the conduct of operations is expected to conform to published codes of practice which set out safety procedures. Local planning authorities may also attach to the grant of planning permission any conditions which they consider necessary to protect the environment.