§ Mr. Peter Reesasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will make a statement about the circumstances in which the "Al Faiah" sailed the wrong way up the Dover Straits separation scheme on 28th April and about the part played by Her Majesty's coastguards at St. Margaret's Bay in preventing an accident occurring.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisFollowing a compass failure, the "Al Faiah" inadvertently entered the south-west traffic lane while steering a northerly course in contravention of the requirements of the Dover Strait separation scheme. Fortunately, this deviation was immediately observed by the coastguard, and the master was alerted to his vessel's danger. The vigilance of the coastguard and the prompt and skilful response of the master averted a possible grounding and pollution.