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| Piper Alpha tribute plan unveiled | Piper Alpha tribute plan unveiled |
| (29 minutes later) | |
| One of the survivors of the Piper Alpha disaster has unveiled plans for a lasting way of paying tribute to each one of the victims. | One of the survivors of the Piper Alpha disaster has unveiled plans for a lasting way of paying tribute to each one of the victims. |
| Ed Punchard's plan for 167 scholarships to honour those who died on the North Sea platform came a few days before the 20th anniversary. | Ed Punchard's plan for 167 scholarships to honour those who died on the North Sea platform came a few days before the 20th anniversary. |
| He launched it in the Commons as Piper Alpha was debated by MPs. | He launched it in the Commons as Piper Alpha was debated by MPs. |
| The debate heard claims that some oil companies were delaying maintenance to capitalise on high oil prices. | The debate heard claims that some oil companies were delaying maintenance to capitalise on high oil prices. |
| Lib Dem MP Malcolm Bruce was among politicians who said concerns had been raised. | Lib Dem MP Malcolm Bruce was among politicians who said concerns had been raised. |
| We need to empower a new generation of young people who will be involved in the oil and gas industry in the future Ed PunchardPiper Alpha survivor | We need to empower a new generation of young people who will be involved in the oil and gas industry in the future Ed PunchardPiper Alpha survivor |
| The Gordon MP said: "I am concerned over reported delays in the maintenance of oil platforms. | The Gordon MP said: "I am concerned over reported delays in the maintenance of oil platforms. |
| "It would be dangerous if delays were occurring because producers were seeking to maximise production at current high oil prices, as has been suggested." | "It would be dangerous if delays were occurring because producers were seeking to maximise production at current high oil prices, as has been suggested." |
| Department of Work and Pensions minister Anne McGuire urged the industry to "raise its game" on safety standards, to ensure the UK's standards were the highest in the world. | Department of Work and Pensions minister Anne McGuire urged the industry to "raise its game" on safety standards, to ensure the UK's standards were the highest in the world. |
| MPs held a minute's silence at the end of the Commons debate. | MPs held a minute's silence at the end of the Commons debate. |
| Meanwhile, Mr Punchard said it was "extremely important" to remember the 167 individuals who died. | Meanwhile, Mr Punchard said it was "extremely important" to remember the 167 individuals who died. |
| Industry funding | |
| He said the victims of the North Sea platform disaster, on 6 July, 1988, should be remembered in a way which was about the future rather than the past. | He said the victims of the North Sea platform disaster, on 6 July, 1988, should be remembered in a way which was about the future rather than the past. |
| Mr Punchard explained: "I believe that we need to empower a new generation of young people who will be involved in the oil and gas industry in the future, so that they will be fully aware of the dangers inherent in the industry and the need for the highest levels of safety at every level." | Mr Punchard explained: "I believe that we need to empower a new generation of young people who will be involved in the oil and gas industry in the future, so that they will be fully aware of the dangers inherent in the industry and the need for the highest levels of safety at every level." |
| He called on the oil and gas industry to fund a 20th anniversary Piper Alpha memorial scholarship scheme, allowing graduate students to apply for one of 167 places, each one in the name of one of the victims. | He called on the oil and gas industry to fund a 20th anniversary Piper Alpha memorial scholarship scheme, allowing graduate students to apply for one of 167 places, each one in the name of one of the victims. |
| Aberdeen North Labour MP Frank Doran said it was important to remember the scale of the loss in Piper Alpha, and the consequences for survivors and relatives. | Aberdeen North Labour MP Frank Doran said it was important to remember the scale of the loss in Piper Alpha, and the consequences for survivors and relatives. |
| Oil and Gas UK director of health and safety Chris Allen said: "We have not been approached on the scholarship proposal and hence cannot comment on the proposals in any detail." | |
| But he explained: "Anything that helps to pass on the lessons learnt from Piper Alpha is to be welcomed, which is why Oil and Gas UK has been working hard over recent months to make sure the lessons are not forgotten and are passed on to the next generation of offshore workers and managers, many of whom weren't even born at the time of Piper Alpha." |