Hansard - Bernard Braine 1978

Canvey Island and Benfleet (Pollution)
HC Deb 11 January 1978 vol 941 cc762-3W762W§49. Sir Bernard Braine asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he is taking to locate the cause, or causes, of intermittent atmospheric pollution above Canvey Island and Benfleet which has caused sickness and inconvenience to large numbers of residents and has been the subject of persistent complaints since last summer; what improvements can be made in monitoring devices; and what sanctions are available to deal with offenders.
§Mr. Marks The Alkali and Clean Air Inspectorate and the local authority are making every effort to trace the source of this pollution. A working group has been set up involving local industrialists. Appropriate monitoring is being carried out. The Alkali Inspectorate and local 763Wauthority have powers to conduct prosecutions if necessary. My right hon. Friend will be calling for further progress reports, and we shall keep the hon. Gentleman informed of developments.

Canvey Island Methane Terminal
HC Deb 01 February 1978 vol 943 cc165-6W165W§Sir Bernard Braine asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) if he will direct the Health and Safety Executive to undertake a detailed inquiry into the safety of frozen methane gas storage both below and above ground at the British Gas Corporation’s methane terminal on Canvey Island;

(2) what detailed research has been undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive into the problems of frozen 166Wmethane gas storage at Canvey Island; what estimate the Executive has made of the implications of such problems for the adjoining residential area; and why the report on the totality of risk posed by this and other high fire hazard installations on Canvey Island commissioned by him nearly two years ago continues to be delayed.
§Mr. John Grant I understand from the Chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the British Gas Corporation methane terminal on Canvey Island is one of the installations currently under investigation for the purpose of the report on the totality of risk in the area, and there is no reason, therefore, for a separate inquiry by the Health and Safety Executive. The need for further research will be considered when the report is available The investigation will include an assessment of the risks to the adjoining residential areas.

As I stated in my reply to the hon. Member’s Question of 16th December 1977—[Vol. 941, c. 448.]—the report has been held up by the need for the investigating team to hold further discussions with the companies concerned. Meanwhile, operations at the terminal are kept under scrutiny by the HSE Inspectorate as part of its enforcement of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Canvey Island and Benfleet (Pollution)
HC Deb 15 March 1978 vol 946 cc261-2W261W§Sir Bernard Braine asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress has been made in locating the cause, or causes, of the intermittent atmospheric pollution above Canvey Island and Ben-fleet which caused sickness and inconvenience to large numbers of residents last summer; whether any action has been taken with regard to the offenders; and what improvements have been made in monitoring devices and procedures.
§Mr. Marks The investigations I described in my answer of 11th January to the hon. Gentleman are continuing. The odour complained of seems to be associated with refineries in the area but its262W precise source has still to be found. Monitoring is difficult because of the transient nature of the odour, but the most sophisticated analytical equipment is in use. Industrialists in the area are co-operating fully with the control authorities. As I undertook in my earlier answer to the hon. Gentleman in January, we shall keep him informed of developments.

Canvey Island
HC Deb 11 April 1978 vol 947 c359W359W§Sir Bernard Braine asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the report of the Health and Safety Executive on the safety of Canvey Island will be published and its contents available to the public before 20th April next.
§Mr. John Grant I have been asked to reply.

I understand from the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the report of the investigation being carried out by the Health and Safety Executive into the potential risks to the public from serious accidents which may occur at existing and proposed installations in the Canvey Island/Thurrock area of Essex is unlikely to be available until the latter part of June.

Just a few quotes from Bernard Braine during the time of the Oil Refinery Protests. Taken from Parliament’s Hansard site.