HC Deb 27 January 1971 vol 810 cc141-2W
109 and 110. Mr. Braise

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what steps have been taken to ensure that there will be no repetition of the incident on 26th July last when the liner "Monte Ulia" steamed off course, collided with the Mobil Oil jetty at Coryton and caused a serious oil fire in the vicinity of high risk fire oil and gas installations on Canvey Island;

(2) what arrangements he has made with the Port of London Authority and other relevant bodies to ensure observance by shipping of better navigation discipline in the Thames Estuary in order to avoid collisions which might imperil the high fire risk installatons at Canvey Island and Thurrock.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The Department has considered carefully the "Monte Ulia" accident. I shall be consulting the oil companies, the Port of London Authority and others interested about what steps are necessary to prevent such incidents and generally to ensure the safety of navigation in the vicinity of Canvey Island.