HC Deb 18 January 1993 vol 217 cc36-7W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to impose on discharges from exploration rigs in the Celtic sea, the same standards that are applied by the United States of America, Holland and Norway; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

Offshore environmental standards are established on the basis of regional agreements. The standards imposed on discharges from exploration rigs in the Celtic sea are consistent with those agreed in the Paris Commission (PARCOM), which administers the Paris convention for the prevention of marine pollution. This covers the whole of the north east Atlantic area. In appropriate cases more stringent requirements can be imposed under licence conditions. The Netherlands and Norway are members of the Paris Commission and their standards similarly reflect those agreed in the Paris Commission.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the President of the Board of Trade (1) what advice he received from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and the Countryside Council for Wales prior to the issuing of licences for exploration in blocks 103/2, 103/3, 103/6, 103/7, 106/25, 106/29, 107/21, 104/16, 104/17, 104/18, 104/19 and 104/21; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what is the shortest distance in nautical miles between the eastern extremity of block 103/3 and Romsey Island;

(3) what is the shortest distance in nautical miles between the eastern extremity of block 103/7 and Grassholm;

(4) what is the shortest distance in nautical miles between the Pembrokeshire Coast national park and (a) the eastern extremity of block 106/29, (b) the southern and eastern extremities of block 107/21, (c) the northern extremity of block 103/19, (d) the northern extremity of block 103/20, (e) the northern extremity of block 104/16 and (f) the northern extremity of block 104/17;

(5) what is the shortest distance in nautical miles between the Skomer marine nature reserve and (a) the eastern extremity of block 103/7 and (b) the northern extremity of block 103/19.

Mr. Eggar

The shortest distance in nautical miles—nm—between the eastern extremity of block 103/3 and Romsey Island is 5.4 nm and between the eastern extremity of block 103/7 and Grassholm is 6.1 nm. The shortest distance in nautical miles between the Pembrokeshire coastal national park and(a) the eastern extremity of block 106/29 is 3 nm, (b) the southern and eastern extremities of block 107/21 is 3.6 nm, (c) the northern extremity of block 103/19 is 8.6 nm, (d) the northern extremity of block 103/20 is 6.4 nm, (e) the northern extremity of block 104/16 is 5.7 nm and (f) the northern extremity of block 104/17 is 7.7 nm. The shortest distance in nautical miles between Skomer marine nature reserve and (a) the eastern extremity of block 103/7 is 10.0 nm and (b) the northern extremity of block 103/19 is 12.7 nm. These figures are accurate to within 0.1 nm.

No licences have been issued for exploration in blocks 103/2, 103/3, 103/6, 103/7, 106/25, 106/29, 107/21, 104/16, 104/17, 104/18, 104/19 and 104/21.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make it his policy to order independent environmental impact assessments before any new drilling begins in the Celtic sea.

Mr. Eggar

Prior to offering blocks for licence the Department consults relevant environmental organisations. Where appropriate special conditions, which may include a requirement for an environmental impact assessment, are attached to licences which take into account the environmental sensitivity of each block. These conditions are agreed with the consultees.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what environmental monitoring on the impact of offshore drilling in the Celtic sea has been carried out by his Department or the Department of Energy since 1973.

Mr. Eggar

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food carries out general monitoring of the coast of England and Wales to establish background levels of marine pollutants. At the completion of the latest well in the Celtic sea, the University of Bangor will be carrying out a survey to assess any effects of drilling on the marine environment.