Natural Gas: Canvey Island

Bob Spink
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what steps the Environment Agency is taking to investigate the circumstances of the spillage at the Canvey Island Calor Gas site on 15 October 2008; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what discussions the Environment Agency has had with Calor Gas following recent spillages at Calor Gas's Canvey Island site.

Jane Kennedy
The Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are the joint competent authority for the site. The incident on the 15 October 2008 involved the spillage of liquid petroleum gas following the failure of pipework. The Environment Agency and the HSE agreed that the HSE would lead the investigation with assistance from the Environment Agency if required.

As a result of the HSE led investigation, the Environment Agency has not entered into discussions with the company concerning the specific circumstances surrounding the spillage. However, the Environment Agency continues to undertake its normal regulatory activities at the site.