HL Deb 03 December 1986 vol 482 cc919-20WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider themselves bound by the requirements of the 1958 Geneva Convention in the matter of the total removal of oil installations and similar installations set up on the sea bed, and if not by what international instrument they do consider themselves bound in this matter.

Viscount Davidson

The UK is bound by the Geneva Convention on the Continental Shelf of 1958, including the provisions relating to the removal of disused oil installations. These provisions should be interpreted in the context of the convention as a whole and in a manner consistent with its object and purpose as well as with customary international law. In the view of HMG, total removal of installations is only required where this is necessary to prevent unjustifiable interference with other users of the sea.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which Government department is taking the lead in consultations over the dismantling of oil and gas industry installations in the North Sea, with whom these consultations are being held, and what stage they have reached.

Viscount Davidson

The Department of Energy is co-ordinating consultations on abandonment of disused offshore installations and pipelines. These consultations have focussed on the provisions contained in the Petroleum Bill to control abandonment, and on the proposed standards of removal. Consultations have been held, and are continuing on both these aspects, with the UK Offshore Operators' Association, Brindex, the Oil Industry International Exploration and Production Forum, individual oil companies, the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, the Scottish Fishermen's Federation and other representatives of Scottish fishermen's organisations, and the Sea Fish Industry Authority.