Offshore Installations (Women Employed)

HC Deb 05 March 1990 vol 168 cc469-70W

Mr. Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether he will make a statement on the employment of women on offshore oil and gas installations.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Skills shortages are being experienced in the offshore oil and gas sector, and, although women are employed on offshore oil and gas installations, I believe that there is scope for employing more. In consultation with the industry, I already have plans to build on their existing initiatives to promote this objective.

The Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay (Offshore Employment) Order 1987 applies the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 to the United Kingdom continental shelf.