Lazarowicz in call to end oil transfer safety delays

EDINBURGH North & Leith Labour MP Mark Lazarowicz has called for an end to the delay in implementing new safety regulations on ship-to-ship oil transfers.

The previous UK government brought forward the regulations after Mr Lazarowicz lodged a private member's bill. They were due to come into force in October but the coalition government deferred them while a further consultation took place - the third since 2008.

Mr Lazarowicz said: "When ship-to-ship oil transfers were first proposed for the Firth of Forth, there was understandable public concern and it exposed the lack of proper regulation.

"I first introduced a Bill to put that right in December 2007. Nearly three years and two public consultations later, the Government should stop dragging its feet.

"After the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico we just can't afford to compromise on safety."