Foreign Factory Ships: Inspections (Hansard, 12 January 1994)

§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
My Lords, the inspection programme itself has led to considerable improvements in the safety standards of the vessels. Many have been poorly maintained for years, but the more recent inspections and re-inspections have found a much higher level of safety awareness. The vessels' masters have welcomed the advice given and have acted on it, and the problem of the lack of fuel has been addressed.

Lord Campbell of Croy
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for his reply, especially as these inspections must have been pursued in the past few weeks over Christmas and since I asked my previous Question on this matter. What signs are there that those responsible—presumably they are based in Eastern Europe—will correct the faults found, because these vessels perform a useful function for our fishermen? Many of these vessels will now be moving to Ullapool, as the mackerel migrate, joining other so-called klondykers there. Can my noble friend tell me what inspection arrangements there are there?

§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
My Lords, we are still concentrating on Lerwick where the bulk of the so-called klondyke fleet is still situated, but as my noble friend rightly points out a mackerel migration takes place later in the year and at least some of the klondykers tend to move to Ullapool. In the event of the klondykers moving there, we shall have to consider whether we move some of our inspections to Ullapool.

§ Baroness Nicol
My Lords, does the Minister accept that the RSPB is concerned about the damage, or potential damage, to important seabird sites in these areas, not only from these ships but also from the passage of heavily laden tankers? Can the Minister tell the House what has happened to the voluntary code which was agreed with the Government on routes for these tankers, and for other ships, which would avoid sensitive areas? Has this code been enforced, who is monitoring it, and is it likely that it could become compulsory rather than voluntary in the future?

§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
My Lords, with respect I believe the noble Baroness has moved a long way away from the klondyker question and on to the matter of tankers. The problem with the klondykers is a real one and, if the noble Baroness does not mind, I shall address my remarks to that problem. A code of practice is being developed for the factory ships off Shetland. I appreciate what the noble Baroness has said. These ships are moored in an area of outstanding beauty with terrific birdlife interest, and obviously it is important not just for the safety of the ships and people but also for the 120 safety of the environment that we ensure that the ships are maintained to the highest standards. That is what our inspectors are trying to do and we believe the code of practice will help them to do that.

§ Lord Carmichael of Kelvingrove
My Lords, is the Minister aware that his reply to the noble Lord, Lord Campbell of Croy, is good news? I was glad to hear that the ships have been inspected and that a great many improvements have been made because they were in a bad state prior to the inspections. Will the Minister expand a little on the matter of insurance cover? I understand that many of these ships were not insured. If that is the case, our rescue teams would encounter great difficulties if anything happened to the ships. I hope the Minister will also comment on the matter of compensation for those who take part in a rescue operation.

§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
My Lords, I confirm that none of the ships inspected appears to have hull or third-party insurance. Such insurance cover is not required in international law for vessels of this kind, but it is normal commercial practice that they are insured. However, I must inform the noble Lord and the House that we have not hitherto encountered great problems with uninsured vessels generally, and where there have been problems in the past where money has been involved, the Russians, for example—they are major players in this fleet—have been co-operative on issues such as compensation.

Lord Campbell of Croy
My Lords, in case there should be any confusion arising from the interesting point made by the noble Baroness, does my noble friend agree that most of these vessels spend most of their lives stationary, moored in our waters, and seldom move and the areas where pollution may occur is in the areas where they are moored round Lerwick and Ullapool?

§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
My Lords, my noble friend is quite right. These vessels sit at anchor for most of the time. It is important that when they sit at anchor they are able to steam off very quickly if problems arise or the weather deteriorates to such an extent that their anchorage becomes untenable. Therefore we have to consider how efficiently the ships are anchored and how ready they are to take the necessary steps to avoid any trouble arising from bad weather which may come on them while they are at anchor, so that they do not damage the coastline of Shetland and there is no loss of life.

§ Lord Mackie of Benshie
My Lords, can the Minister tell the House how these ships compare with the so-called rust buckets sailing in that area under various flags of convenience?

§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish
My Lords, in the second part of his question the noble Lord makes assertions on which it is perhaps too early to comment. Many of the ships are large former fishing vessels from Eastern Europe. Many of them have been going to that part of the world for many years. Our inspectors found that they were not in the best of condition and were not being well kept. I am happy to say that steps are being 121 taken to improve the position. As the noble Lord will know, the vessels are of vital importance to the pelagic industry in this country as regards finding outlets for its fish.