OFFSHORE HELICOPTER SAFETY

That this House is concerned by the safety of offshore helicopter transport; observes that since February 2009, 33 offshore workers and crew have died and 65 have been rescued from the North Sea following six accidents involving Super Puma 225 and AS332 L2 helicopters; remembers the 13 passengers and crew who lost their lives on 29 April 2016 in a crash off the south coast of Norway; notes that Norwegian and UK investigations of fatal and non-fatal Super Puma accidents since 2009 have found similar mechanical failures; supports the continued grounding of the Super Puma fleet across the North Sea; further notes that the manufacturer Airbus surveyed offshore workers in June 2017 and found a majority with profound reservations over flying in Super Pumas again; is further concerned that the Civil Aviation Authority lifted official restrictions on these helicopters in July 2017 without consulting offshore workers or their trade unions; believes that Super Pumas should not return to the North Sea without the prior agreement of a majority of offshore workers; is concerned that the Government rejected the Transport Select Committee's July 2014 recommendation for a public inquiry into commercial pressures on offshore helicopter safety; recognises that 2018 is the 30th anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster and a reminder of the necessity for the highest possible standards of offshore safety; and supports the RMT union's call for the Government to launch a public inquiry into the offshore helicopter safety concerns that are being raised by offshore workers.