asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to appoint a Departmental committee to consider the granting of certificates on the conditions that the oil companies must observe for platforms that are erected in the North Sea.

An interdepartmental advisory committee has for some time been working on a scheme for the certification of offshore installations; in accordance with Section 7 of the Mineral Workings (Offshore Installations) Act, 1971, requirements proposed to be contained in regulations covering certification are now under discussion by the Department with those who may be affected.