§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow on Thursday 3 November,Official Report, column 713, he will (a) place in the Library a copy of the abandonment programme for Piper Alpha and (b) indicate when he will make a decision on the aforesaid programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ParkinsonI expect to reach a decision within the next fortnight. Occidental's proposals for the abandonment of the Piper Alpha installation contain commercially confidential information and it would not be appropriate for me to place them in the Library of the House. The proposals are that the remains of the platform be toppled outwards on to the sea bed by means of explosive charges, so as to leave a minimum of 75 m of clear water between the sea surface and any remains.
My officials are in close touch with the Department of Transport and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland about the navigational safety, fishing and marine environmental implications. Any approval would be without prejudice to any subsequent use of my powers under section 6 of the Petroleum Act 1987, and would be subject to the condition that the co-venturers will, if subsequently required by me, move or remove from the sea bed, such debris as I may direct. It would be my intention to consult relevant interested parties including the fishermen and the Nature Conservancy Council before deciding what debris clear up might be appropriate.