§ Mr. Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Trade what action he proposes in response to the findings of the inquiry into the loss of the "Lovat".
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe inquiry into the loss of the "Lovat" in January 1975 was one of the longest and most technically complex on record and has resulted in a detailed and valuable report by the court. As the report acknowledged, 423W action has already been taken by the Department on a number of matters since the casualty. With regard to the cargo, a working group studied the flow potential of particled coal products and advised the shipping industry on safety measures and testing facilities; related amendments have been made to the international code for safe practices for bulk cargoes. With regard to the rubber-proofed cotton fabric liferaft, which suffered a form of degredation, research has justified making rules to phase out all such liferafts by July 1979. Also attention has been drawn to the importance of observing the statutory requirements for the annual inspection of life-rafts. Following a review by a departmental committee, a co-ordinated programme for survival training was adopted including a compulsory induction course for new entrants. And, on search and rescue, Sea King helicopters are now available at shorter notice than in January 1975.
IMPORTS OF FUELS (SITC SECTION 3) AS A PROPORTION OF THE VALUE OF TOTAL IMPORTS 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 United Kingdom … 11.2 10.9 200 17.9 18.1 Denmark … 10.9 10.6 19.2 18.6 16.5 Belgium/Luxembourg … 10.1 8.7 14.3 14.3 12.9* France … 13.2 12.4 22.9 22.9 22.4 Germany, Federal Republic of … 9.2 11.4 19.3 17.7 17.8 Irish Republic … 7.5 6.8 13.9 14.1 13.4 Italy … 15.0 14.1 26.6 27.1 25.8† Netherlands … 13.2 13.3 18.1 17.9 19.4* * January to November. † January to September. Source:
1972–75, OECD Statistics of Foreign Trade Series B.
1976, OECD Statistics of Foreign Trade Series A, national publications and Eurostat External Trade