Future Of North Sea Platforms

EDM number 1130 in 1994-95, proposed by Matthew Taylor on 16/05/1995.

That this House notes with concern the Government's decision to approve the dumping at sea of the Brent Spar offshore oil storage installation which is contaminated with toxic and radioactive waste; condemns the proposed policy of dumping further disused oil structures in the sea on a case by case basis; believes that the earlier Government and oil industry commitments to remove all such structures should be honoured; further believes that salvage and recycling work can be undertaken safely and is recommended by the International Pipe Line and Offshore Contractors Association and that the complete salvage and recycling of the Brent Spar and other structures would create significant long term employment and makes economic sense; is concerned for the safety of fishing vessels, the protection of fisheries and that the dumping of North Sea platforms may conflict with the letter and spirit of international conventions to protect the marine environment, including the Geneva and OSPAR conventions; further notes the mounting international condemnation of the Government's decision; and calls on the Government to revoke the permission to dump the Brent Spar at least until after the United Kingdom's partners in Europe have had the opportunity to make their views known to Ministers at the North Sea Conference on 9th June.

This motion has been signed by a total of 28 MPs.