HC Deb 28 July 1989 vol 157 cc979-80W
Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy how many prosecutions have been instituted for failure to comply with directions issued by his Department under the Mineral Workings Offshore Installations Act 1971 and relating to the Offshore Installations (Life Saving Appliances) Regulations 1977 since 1979.

Mr. Peter Morrison

None. Directions issued by the Secretary of State under the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 exempt installations from specific statutory requirements for limited periods subject to adequate alternative safety arrangements being in place. A direction ceases to have effect if any condition attached to it is not observed.

Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will place in the Library a copy of all directions issued by his Department under the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 and relating to the Offshore Installations (Life Saving Appliances) Regulations 1977.

Mr. Peter Morrison

There is a large number of directions and copies cannot easily be assembled. However, I will be arranging for copies of all directions relating to the Offshore Installations (Life-saving Appliances) Regulations 1977 issued in the last two years which remain in force to be placed in the Library as soon as possible.

Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what directions have been issued by his Department in terms of the provisions of sections 7(4) and (5) of the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 in respect of the provisions of the Offshore Installations (Life Saving Appliances) Regulations 1977; to whom these directions were made; and to what offshore installations they relate.

Mr. Peter Morrison

This information can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps his Department takes to monitor compliance with directions issued under the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 and relating to the Offshore Installations (Life Saving Appliances) Regulations 1977.

Mr. Peter Morrison

My inspectors monitor compliance with all directions issued under the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act 1971 as part of their inspection of offshore installations.