HL Deb 17 November 1977 vol 387 cc740-2WA
Lord KENNET

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there are regulations requiring the reporting of accidents or incidents relating to the transport of liquid natural gas and liquid petroleum gas, either by land, sea or air; if so, how many such accidents have been reported relating to sea transport; whether such accidents occurring on non-British registered vessels within British internal, territorial or fishery limits respectively are due to be reported, either directly or by the flag-state, and have been; and what, if any, British regulations apply to vessels transporting liquid natural gas and liquid petroleum gas or to their crews;

Whether there are regulations requiring the reporting of accidents or incidents relating to the transport of dangerous cargoes, and in particular cargoes including materials the dumping of which at sea is prohibited, either by land, sea or air; if so, how many such accidents have been reported relating to sea transport; whether such accidents occurring on non-British registered vessels within British internal, territorial or fishery limits respectively are required to be reported, either directly or by the flag-states, and if so, whether any have been; and what if any British regulations apply to vessels transporting such dangerous cargoes or to their crews;

and:

Whether there are regulations requiring the reporting of accidents or incidents relating to the transport of radio-active materials, either by land, sea or air; if so, how many such accidents have been reported relating to sea transport; whether such accidents occurring on non-British registered vessels within British internal, territorial or fishery limits respectively are required to be reported, either directly or by the flag-state, and if so whether any have been; and what, if any, British regulations apply to vessels transporting radio-active materials or to their crews.

Lord ORAM

There are no specific regulations requiring the reporting of accidents involving the transport by land, sea or air of dangerous goods as such but certain regulations are relevant.

Provisions relating to the reporting of accidents involving the transport of radioactive substances by road are contained in the Radio-Active Substances (Carriage by Road) (Great Britain) Regulations 1974.

Regulations requiring the reporting of accidents relating to the transport of liquefied natural gas and other specified dangerous substances by ship or vehicle which involve loss of life or personal injury are provided for under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928.

Requirements for notification of certain accidents including those causing loss of life or personal injury are laid down by the Explosives Act 1875 covering the conveyance of explosives in, about, or in connection with any carriage, ship or boat.

The reporting of specified occurrences, including occurrences relating to the carriage of dangerous materials, which endanger, or which if not corrected would endanger, the safety of an aircraft, its occupants or any other person is provided for in the Air Navigation Order 1976 and the Air Navigation (General) Regulations.

All casualties involving the loss of, damage to, or damage caused by a United Kingdom registered ship, including ships used in the transport of dangerous cargoes, must be reported under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts. There are no corresponding requirements for non-United Kingdom registered vessels.

In the period 1975-to-date 25 casualties or incidents involving ships transporting dangerous cargoes, including 5 foreign flag vessels, have been reported.

The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods) Rules 1965 apply to all United Kingdom registered ships. For other ships within the United Kingdom Territorial Waters the rules apply only when they engage in embarking or disembarking passengers or loading or discharging cargoes or fuels.

All United Kingdom registered vessels must comply with the manning requirements specified under the Merchant Shipping Acts.