§ 19. Mr. Braineasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department's investigation into the collision of the liner "Monte Ulia" with an oil jetty in the Thames estuary on 26th July, 1970, which led to a serious fire, will be completed; why the investigation has taken so long; and whether the report will be made public.
§ Mr. NobleThe report of the preliminary inquiry into this casualty was made in September, 1970. It is not the practice to publish such reports, which are used by the Department as a guide to further action.
§ Mr. BraineMay I convey to my right hon. Friend my deep concern that a year has passed since the "Monte Ulia" literally set the Thames on fire, endangering Canvey Island, where 25,000 of my constituents live alongside high fire risk installations? Is he aware that in that year there was an increase in the number of heavy tankers using the Channel and a decrease in the standard of navigation? Will he explain why the local authorities concerned have received no information about the lessons, if any, learned from this incident? Will he accept that in this day and age such neglect is totally unacceptable?
§ Mr. NobleI certainly accept from my hon. Friend that the danger of fire in his area is very great and naturally of concern to him and the local authorities, but it is my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary who is responsible for questions concerning both the safety and the 19 design of oil jetties. I will draw my hon. Friend's comments to the attention of the Home Secretary.