§ 1. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what precautions are taken to prevent and reduce the incidence of accidents in Government Fisheries Research vessels resulting in injury to or death of officers and members of the crews; and what therapeutic measures are available on board to deal with such cases.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Lord John Hope)In such matters these vessels comply fully with the statutory requirements and also with the recommendations of the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation.
The answer to the second part of the Question is that all ships are equipped with a medical outfit to Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation requirements. All deck officers and fishing mates hold first-aid certificates of proficiency issued by an approved body.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Joint Under-Secretary aware that comparatively recently an Aberdeen man was fatally injured in one of these ships, which shows that it is important that these protective and therapeutic measures should be kept up to the highest modern standards? Will he state what is being done to effect that?
§ Lord John HopeThe position, as I understand it, is satisfactory, but that does not mean in the least that what the hon. and learned Member said ought not to have been said. It is very important that the highest standards should be 212 maintained all the time. I know the occasion to which the hon. and learned Member referred.