HC Deb 20 January 1989 vol 145 cc344-5W
Mr. Flannery

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many times petroleum engineering directorate inspectors have arrived unannounced at a heliport or airport in order to travel offshore for an unannounced inspection of oil installations.

Mr. Parkinson

A short period of notice is normally given by my inspectors when they intend to visit offshore installations.

Mr. Flannery

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many times petroleum engineering directorate inspectors have carried out unannounced inspections of offshore oil installations.

Mr. Parkinson

It is impossible for an inspector to arrive on an offshore installation unannounced. During 1988, however, my inspectors carried out a total of four inspections of offshore installations when the installation to be visited was notified only when the inspector checked in for the helicopter flight.