§ Mr. Nick Ainger (Pembroke)On a point of order, Madam Speaker. Since the rather optimistic statement made yesterday afternoon by the Secretary of State for Transport about the Sea Empress incident off the coast of my constituency, you may be aware that there has been a substantial turn for the worse. It appears that at least 50,000 tonnes of oil has spewed into the sea in a most environmentally sensitive area.
Bearing that in mind, I learnt this morning that those concerned have been unable successfully to salvage the Sea Empress because of lack of availability of the correct type of tug. That issue was taken up in the Donaldson inquiry in May 1994. Unfortunately, due to the Government's complacency, it has not been dealt with. Have you had any sign from the Secretary of State for Transport, Madam Speaker, that he intends to make another statement on those serious matters?
§ Madam SpeakerI have sympathy with the point that the hon. Gentleman makes, and I was glad that he was able to ask a question following the statement yesterday. I know that he is concerned about the matter as it concerns his constituency, to which he rightly needs to pay every attention, but I have not heard that the Minister is seeking to make yet another statement.
I shall give a little advice, if I may. If the hon. Gentleman believes that the matter is urgent—and I have no reason to doubt that it is not—perhaps he will seek a private meeting with the Minister without delay.
§ Mr. AingerI have already done so.
§ Madam SpeakerI am delighted to hear that.