§ Sir Bernard Braineasked the Secretary of State for Trade what is the number of ships involved in accidents on the river Thames and estuary in each of the years 1976, 1977 and 1978, showing separately the number of cases where it was thought necessary to investigate, to call for a report or to conduct an inquiry under the Merchant Shipping Act; and in how many such cases ships were carrying cargoes of a hazardous or pollutant nature.
592Wbetween countries, for example in composition, the figures are not wholly comparable. The group of the eight largest exporters of manufactures is based on information for 1977.
§ Mr. TebbitThe numbers of accidents reported to the Port of London Authority, involving vessels of all kinds, including pleasure craft, in the area of the river Thames and estuary within the authority's jurisdiction, were:
vessels were carrying hazardous or pollutant cargoes.
1976 1977 1978 128 137 192 of which 21 14 28 All reported accidents were investigated by the Port of London Authority. Additionally, under the Merchant Shipping Act, my Department investigated or called for reports in 17 (1976) and 24 (1977) of these cases, including one preliminary inquiry; the corresponding departmental figure for the year 1978 is not yet readily available and cannot be produced at present without disproportionate cost.