Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether the Health and Safety Executive has been consulted by Peak Cluster Limited on the proximity of the proposed CO2 pipeline route and above-ground installation to Gawsworth Church of England Primary School.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

As a statutory consultee to the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) process for the Peak Cluster pipeline, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has responded to the Planning Inspectorate at the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Stage confirming whether the proposed pipeline passes through the Consultation Distances of other major accident hazard pipelines, major hazard sites, or licensed explosives sites.

Under the Pipeline Safety Regulations 1996, as amended, the operator of a major hazard pipeline is required to produce a major accident prevention document prior to the design of the pipeline being completed, demonstrating that major accident hazard potential arising from the pipeline has been identified; evaluation of those risks has been carried out; and that an adequate safety management system for those risks is in place.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the National Wealth Fund (a) conducted due diligence on alternative pipeline route and junction location options and (b) commissioned an independent engineering assessment of alternative junction locations for the meeting point of pipeline Sections 3 and 4 before investing in Peak Cluster Limited.

Answered by Dan Tomlinson - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

The National Wealth Fund (NWF) is operationally independent in regard to its investment decisions. The NWF undertakes extensive due diligence in line with commercial investor assessment standards, processes and quantification methodologies, to ensure that taxpayer funds are deployed safely, represent value for money, and support technically and commercially viable projects.

As part of this process, the NWF considers all relevant design, technical and delivery risks associated with proposed projects. Details of individual assessments, including any consideration of specific design or routing options, remain commercially sensitive.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether Peak Cluster Limited has submitted to his Department or to Ofgem any societal risk assessment (FN curve analysis) under BS PD 8010 Parts 1 and 3 comparing the risk profile of the current proposed pipeline route through Gawsworth Parish with any alternative route that avoids the settled Gawsworth valley.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The department is engaging with potential future CCUS projects, including the Peak Cluster, to understand their proposals.

The Peak Cluster’s pipeline proposals are still in development. A societal risk assessment is part of the quantitative risk assessment framework for the pipelines under BS PD8010, which will be carried out as part of the FEED design stage. The Peak Cluster project is not yet at this stage. Once complete, the risk assessment will be submitted to the Health and Safety Executive, who will undertake the review.

100th anniversary of the birth of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Found: Falmouth) Josh Newbury (Labour; Cannock Chase) Jenny Riddell-Carpenter (Labour; Suffolk Coastal) Tim Roca