§ Mr. Tom Boardmanasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has yet reached a decision on the recommendations made by the Rochdale Committee on Inquiry into Shipping that the responsibility for formulating and enforcing safety regulations should be delegated to a statutory marine authority.
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§ Mr. Anthony GrantWe have decided that the balance of advantage lies against setting up a statutory marine authority. In present circumstances we believe that Ministers should continue to exercise direct responsibility to Parliament for the related questions of safety at sea and marine pollution and for the establishment of appropriate international and national standards of ship construction equipment and operation.