HC Deb 20 December 1982 vol 34 cc669-71 3.30 pm
Sir Julian Ridsdale (Harwich)

(by private notice) asked the Secretary of State for Trade to make a statement on the collision between the "European Gateway" and the "Speedlink Vanguard" yesterday.

The Under-Secretary of State for Trade (Mr. Iain Sproat)

The passenger ferry "European Gateway" sailed from Felixstowe clearing the berth at about 22.40 on 19 December for Europort with 36 crew members, 34 passengers and a number of cars and lorries on board. At about 22.50 she was in collision with the cargo vessel "Speedlink Vanguard" which was inward bound from Zeebrugge. Weather conditions at the time were severe with a south-west to west gale force 8 to storm force 10 with showers of rain; visibility was moderate to good.

The coastguard alerted all ships in the area and mounted an air and sea search. Several helicopters, the lifeboats from Walton and Harwich and other vessels, including the Harwich pilot boat, searched the area. The search continued until 05.42 today and a further air search was carried out at first light for the one person at that time not accounted for. Sixty-four survivors were rescued, but I regret to tell the House that two passengers and three crew members were lost and one crew member is still missing. My Department has ordered a preliminary inquiry in order to establish the cause of casualty.

I am sure that hon. Members would wish to join me in expressing deepest sympathy to the families and relations of those who have lost their lives as a result of this tragic casualty.

Sir Julian Ridsdale

May I join the Minister and others in the House in his expressions of sympathy? Secondly, may I congratulate, through the Minister, the rescue services and the social services, which acted so promptly in saving what could have been further loss of life?

Will the Minister order an inquiry? Is he aware that there was concern that the lifeboats on the "European Gateway" were not able to be lowered? Was this because of listing? The lifeboat on the "Speedlink Vanguard" was able to be lowered. I pay tribute to the "Danna Futura", which was able to keep to windward and enable the rescue operation to take place.

Lastly, is my hon. Friend aware that the "Speedlink Vanguard" should be in operation in January after extensive repairs?

Mr. Sproat

I thank my hon. Friend for the just tribute that he has paid to the skill and heroism of so many who were involved. I have ordered a preliminary inquiry, which may lead to a formal investigation. The alleged details that were reported of what happened to the lifeboats are matters that it will be the duty of the inquiry to ascertain.

Mr. Peter Archer (Warley, West)

I am sure that the whole House wishes to be associated with the sympathy and condolences expressed by the Minister for the families of the victims and the congratulations to the rescue services. The House will not expect the Minister to make any further pronouncements in advance of the prelminary inquiry, but does he appreciate that as it is a passenger service which is involved there is grave anxiety among the travelling public arising both from the fact of the collision and from some of the allegations which have appeared in the media? Will he undertake to make a full statement as soon as he is in a position to do so? If in the meanwhile he orders a formal inquiry, will he announce that to the House by way of a preliminary statement?

Mr. Sproat

I thank the right hon. and learned Gentleman for the sympathy which he has expressed on behalf of the families and relations. I can assure him that I am well aware if the deep anxiety that the travelling public must feel on this occasion. The vessel had been surveyed within the past month. All the details will be considered during the preliminary inquiry. I undertake to let the House know the result of that inquiry.

Mr. James Callaghan (Cardiff, South-East)

Apart from the issues that the inquiry will investigate, is not the major question why, in an open seaway, with moderate to good visibility, two ships should have collided? Unless the preliminary investigation can allocate clear responsibility for why this should have happened, there should be a formal investigation to get to the bottom of it.

Mr. Sproat

The answer to both the right hon. Gentleman's questions is "Yes, Sir".

Mr. Keith Stanton (Sunbury and Woodbridge)

Pursuant to the question of the right hon. Member for Cardiff, South-East (Mr. Callaghan), I confirm my astonishment that the force of the wind was 8 to 10 and that visibility was moderate to good. One has recollections of the loss of the Stranraer-Larne ferry about 10 years ago. This is highly disconcerting for passenger traffic. I plead with my hon. Friend to give the House the fullest possible reassurances with the minimum delay.

Mr. Sproat

I can give my hon. Friend the assurance that he seeks. That which he regards with some amazement is one of the issues that the inquiry must resolve.

Several Hon. Members

rose——

Mr. Speaker

Order. This is a private notice question, but I shall, exceptionally, call those Members who have been rising in their places before moving on to other matters.

Mr. Tom McNally (Stockport, South)

I endorse the expressions of sympathy for those who lost their lives and of awe at the courage of the rescue workers. Bearing in mind the growing volume of sea traffic around our coast, does the Minister think that sufficient urgency is being given to making progress in discussions within the European Community and with the North Sea bordering countries to ensure that safety standards are uniform and of the highest level?

Mr. Sproat

Yes, I am so satisfied. The hon. Gentleman will know that we signed the Paris memorandum of understanding earlier this year on precisely these matters. I am glad to be able to tell him that Britain is keeping up the percentage of inspections, the 25 per cent. that we promised, and I expect this high standard to be maintained.

Mr. Stephen Ross (Isle of Wight)

The Liberal Party associates itself with the expressions of sympathy. I can confirm that the weather conditions were terrible last night, even during my crossing of the Solent. Were any sailings cancelled from Harwich or Felixstowe last night? Is it not a fact that this is the first fatal accident in which European Ferries has been concerned in 20 years of operations? That in itself is a pretty good record.

Mr. Sproat

I have no knowledge of any cancellations last night. I am not able to confirm the precise details that the hon. Gentleman mentioned. If those are the facts, which I have no reason to doubt, they constitute a splendid record.

Mr. John Prescott (Kingston upon Hull, East)

The House will be aware that today is the anniversary of the expression of condolences for the loss of 16 men from the Penlee lifeboat and the "Union Star". No doubt Christmas will claim more seamen's lives in further incidents. Can the Minister assure us that when the public investigation takes place, as it must, it will not take as long as the one year and four months that it has taken him to set up the Penlee inquiry?

Is the Minister also aware of the increasing anger felt by many seamen and by some members of the air-sea rescue services who are witnessing condolences expressed in the House at a time when the Minister is presiding over cuts in coastguards, look-out facilities, helicopter liaison officers and now the Land's End radio station? The Minister is motivated by a desire to save money that will undermine the safety of seafarers. Will he stop the cuts now, conduct a proper inquiry and increase the safety of seamen who are engaged in the most dangerous occupation in Britain?

Mr. Sproat

I am sure that all hon. Members are aware of the tragic anniversary that this has turned out to be. I ordered the inquiry earlier today and it has already begun to sit. If the preliminary inquiry should lead to a formal investigation, that will be set up with all due speed.

As to the hon. Gentleman's remarks about coastguards and lifeboats, all that I can say is that the coastguards and lifeboat men performed their jobs on this occasion with their customary heroism and skill. There is no question of any cuts bearing on what happened in this tragic accident.

Mr. D. N. Campbell-Savours (Workington)

May we have an immediate safety review of every operational ferry serving the United Kingdom? Is the Minister aware that Townsend Thoresen will disclaim all insurance liability for the tractors and trailers carried on the ferry, which will mean substantial cash flow problems for many hauliers? It he also aware that some drivers may have been sleeping in their cabs in contravention of Townsend Thoresen's conditions of carriage? If that is so, will the Minister issue instructions to all ferry companies to ensure that it does not happen in future?

Mr. Sproat

The answer to the first question is "No, Sir". My answer to the second and third questions is that I am not aware of those facts.