Written question asked by Bill Tynan (Labour) on Thursday, 11 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 November 2004. It was answered by Jane Kennedy (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 November 2004 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment the Health and Safety Executive has made of implications of the Ghislenghien gas explosion for the safety of gas transmission and distribution systems in the UK.

Answer: Mr. Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment the Health and Safety Executive has made of implications of the Ghislenghien gas explosion for the safety of gas transmission and distribution systems in the UK. [198259] Jane Kennedy: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has assessed the information available on the Ghislenghien explosion, which appears to have occurred as a result of third party damage to a high pressure gas pipeline. HSE is working in partnership with the United Kingdom Onshore Pipeline Operators' Association (UKOPA) to raise the awareness of risks from major accident hazard pipelines with construction contractors and utility companies. This work will form part of HSE's Major Hazards strategic programme for 2005-06.

Secondary information