HC Deb 30 July 1981 vol 9 cc452-3W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Secretary of State for Trade in what way failures to maintain standards on (a) small ships and (b) foreign ships are discovered other than by general discretionary surveys.

Mr. Eyre

In addition to random general inspections by Department of Trade surveyors, defects and deficiencies are sometimes brought to the attention of the Department through complaints by individual members of crew, and their national or international representative organisations, or through reports from other Administrations and port authorities. In addition, the investigation of a marine casualty may also bring to light a failure to maintain standards.