HL Deb 14 September 1972 vol 335 cc469-72

3.12 p.m.

THE EARL OF ALBEMARLE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will renew their efforts with Continental neighbours to re-buoy distinct routes in the Channel and so attend to the repeated requests of our seamen to make the Channel less dangerous, in view of crowded shipping and 200,000-ton tankers.

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY (THE EARL OF LIMERICK)

My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have taken the lead in discussions at IMCO—the Inter-governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation—aimed at improving the safety of navigation in the Channel. The Dover Strait Traffic Separation Scheme, first introduced in 1967, was extended last April and on September 1 it became mandatory on United Kingdom ships to observe the provisions of the Scheme. Additionally, Her Majesty's Government introduced a new broadcast service to ships in August and initiated a Traffic Surveillance Scheme using radar last year. Means of improving this Scheme are under consideration and arrangements for identifying offenders are being strengthened. These measures are, I believe, more likely to be effective than marking or re-marking routes for which I know of no pressing demands.

THE EARL OF ALBEMARLE

My Lords, may I thank my noble friend for that Answer, which was more than I had dared to hope for? It was better than the Answer I received eighteen months ago, since when I have read an interesting article, representing the opinions of seafarers, in the magazine issued by the British Sailors' Society. Is the noble Earl aware that there the seafarers express a fear of near-misses in fog, and that it seems that these seafarers thought that not enough attention was given to measures that might prevent there being such terrible results as occurred in the case of the "Royston Grange"? That ship ran into a 200,000-ton tanker, which immediately let out oil that itself burst into flame, and of the whole complement, passengers and crew, of the "Royston Grange", 147 individuals died. As it is our Channel and we own twelve miles of the narrowest part, I do not think there is enough we can do.

THE EARL OF LIMERICK

My Lords, my noble friend is absolutely correct in saying that fog constitutes the major hazard to navigation in the Channel. Since 1959, 80 per cent. of all collisions have occurred in conditions of fog. There is some division of opinion among navigators as to the best remedies. I would mention two other things that have been done recently. First, in May of this year there was in London an International Conference on Marine Traffic Engineering which I had the pleasure to open and at which great attention was given to this problem; and, secondly, as my noble friend may he aware, only yesterday my honourable friend the Minister for Aerospace was making a personal inspection of these facilities in the Channel.

LORD DAVIES OF LEEK

My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that many of us are grateful for the informed Question which his noble friend Lord Abernarle asked? In view of the interest of the noble Earl, may I ask him whether he is aware that pilot and navigation maps indicate that the Channel, which is the Clapham Junction of world seamanship, has two low banks, the Varne and the Le Colbart, which at low tide are only three fathoms below water? If, at the international conference in May, or at the next one, we can take the initiative in calling a European conference about constructing navigational aids on those banks, or even making a deep-water harbour—because that is not beyond modern engineering—that would certainly enhance the navigational safety of the Channel.

THE EARL or LIMERICK

My Lords, I shall certainly see that the remarks of the noble Lord, Lord Davies of Leek, are taken into account. This is of course a matter of international concern, and it is being so studied; but in this case, somewhat naturally, it is we who take the lead.

BARONESS STOCKS

My Lords, is it possible that the real trouble is the enormous size of these new tankers and their unmanceuvrability, the fact that it is very difficult for them to take evasive action if threatened with a collision or to reverse under a certain number of hundred yards? The only solution to the problem surely is to limit their size, or possibly reopen the Suez Canal, to avoid our having them.

THE EARL OF LIMERICK

My Lords, the larger size of these ships does of course raise new problems which are of concern to those who study them. It is interesting that one effect of the larger size of ships is that although the tonnage using the Channel has increased enormously the number of ships using the Channel is not subject to the same increase. Indeed, there is some evidence that it may be declining.

THE EARL OF ONSLOW

My Lords, what sanction have the Government got if somebody decides to drive the wrong way up the Channel, on the wrong side of the road?

THE EARL OF LIMERICK

My Lords, as regards our own ships, we have the sanction of our own law, and this, as I mentioned, is now mandatory in terms of an Order in Council which became effective on the 1st of this month. In regard to international agreements, it is the business of each Government to enforce the regulations against their own nationals. We have a measure of cooperation from most of them, and many of them are taking steps to ratify the necessary parts of the IMCO Convention.

LORD HANKEY

My Lords, can the noble Earl say whether the Traffic Separation Scheme is mandatory on all the North Sea and Baltic Powers, and whether any steps can be taken to make it mandatory also on ships sailing under flags of convenience?

THE EARL OF LIMERICK

My Lords, that is rather another question. IMCO has asked its members to make this Scheme mandatory, and we have taken the lead in doing this.

LORD TREFGARNE

My Lords, can my noble friend say whether ships using the Channel in fog, particularly smaller ships, are required to carry radar reflectors or other devices to make them more readily visible on the radar screens of shore installations or other ships?

TILE EARL OF LIMERICK

My Lords, without notice I cannot give a positive answer to that question. In the case of smaller ships I doubt whether this would be practicable.