HC Deb 11 August 1966 vol 733 cc1867-9
27. Mr. Webster

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to enforce Section 17 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1964, as relating to safety arrangements for passenger vessels carrying more than twelve people.

Mr. Jay

The Board's officers, assisted by the police and other authorities, are active in enforcing this requirement. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a Press notice issued by the Board of Trade on 9th August.

Mr. Webster

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that following the "Darlwin" disaster there is great concern about this matter? Can he state, for instance, the size of his staff that is employed on enforcement and the numbers of police officers who are specifically attached for these duties?

Mr. Jay

I cannot give the exact numbers without notice. I have, however, already asked my staff to tighten up the regulations in these matters, as the hon. Member will probably have seen. He will see from the Press statement which I have sent him that I have also invited the Press and the public to exercise their right to ask to see the certificates displayed in these vessels, and I hope that they will do so.

Mr. McNamara

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is much concern about the qualifications of people who are skippers of these craft? Would he care to make a statement as to the qualifications which are demanded of them? If none are demanded, will my right hon. Friend introduce regulations to ensure that a sufficiently high standard of seamanship is demanded of skippers?

Mr. Jay

Certainly, that is a point that my officers are entitled to look into when granting certificates. But we had better await the report of the two special investigations which are now taking place before carrying the matter further.

Mr. Corfield

Am I right in assuming that the right hon. Gentleman already has power to ensure that these certificates are displayed? If not, does he propose to take that power?

Mr. Jay

Yes, it is the legal duty of those who receive these certificates to display them in the vessels which they use. The public have a right to ask to see them before making any use of the vessel, and I hope that they will.

28. Mr. Webster

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are taken to record certificates to cover the safety of passenger vessels carrying more than twelve people.

Mr. Jay

Copies of all passenger certificates are retained by the Board.

Mr. Webster

Is the President of the Board of Trade aware that a registry, either locally or centrally kept, would be of very great help to make sure that this scrutiny of the 1964 Act is enforced? Will he do something about this?

Mr. Jay

Copies of these certificates are already available to the police, to local authorities and to other people concerned, but I will certainly examine the hon. Member's suggestion.

Mr. Farr

Would it not be desirable for the certificate in question to be displayed in a prominent place—say, at the top of the companionway or a bulkhead—so that it is visible to all passengers coming aboard?

Mr. Jay

It is the duty of the master of the ship to display it in a prominent place where it can be seen by passengers.

35. Mr. Geoffrey Wilson

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are taken to ensure that passengers in vessels proceeding to sea have their attention drawn to the fact that the provisions of Section 17 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1964, have been complied with when necessary.

Mr. Jay

Owners are required by statute to exhibit passenger certificates on board ship in a conspicuous place.

Mr. Wilson

In view of the Answers that the Minister has given to previous Questions, will he consider having a standard form of badge which is easily recognisable, such as a motorist uses for a licence on his car?

Mr. Jay

I will examine that point, but I think the instructions we have made go a long way to meet the need.

Mr. Bessell

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the announcement made this afternoon will be widely welcomed by people everywhere, but may I ask him this, that provided the certificates are displayed and provided that the boats are seaworthy and properly skippered, passengers need have no fear in using pleasure vessels?

Mr. Jay

I think that, so far as the law laid down by this House is concerned, that is certainly true, but I cannot give an absolute guarantee of what may happen.