§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many marine survey officers are at present based in (a) Hull and (b) Grimsby; and what were the figures for 1980.
§ Mr. EyreThirteen in Hull, including the principal officer, and four in Grimsby, in both 1980 and 1981. The figures for Grimsby and Hull include fishing vessel surveyors.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he maintains any requirement that inspection visits and travel to and from them by marine survey officers should be in office hours; what authorisation procedure is necessary for inspections or travel outside such hours; and whether overtime is payable.
§ Mr. EyreNo; the marine survey service responds generally and flexibly to the requirements of the shipping industry. Authorisation and arrangements for payment are matters for local management in accordance with normal departmental procedures.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many marine survey offices are to be closed in 1981–82; and whether any on-the-spot studies of the work of those offices and their interaction with the local shipping community were made before the decision was decided upon.
§ Mr. EyreThe integration and rationalisation of marine survey and mercantile marine offices will proceed during 1981–82. This may result in further closures but final decisions affecting individual offices will continue to be taken only after careful consideration of all relevant factors.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade what provision has been made for effective inspection of vessels by marine survey officers in the event of the closure of the Humber bridge through adverse weather conditions; what is the expected incidence of such closures; and what consultations have been held with the Humber Bridge Board.
§ Mr. EyreIn such an event my Department will make such arrangements as are considered necessary in the prevailing circumstances to fully discharge its responsibilities for marine safety. It is not appropriate to consult the Humber Bridge Board on marine safety enforcement matters.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade what travelling expenses are paid to marine survey officers on official business; and what annual mileage limit is imposed on them.
§ Mr. EyreTravelling expenses are paid in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in the Civil 625W Service pay and conditions of service code, a copy of which is in the Library. There is no limit on annual mileage.
§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Trade what removal expenses are payable to staff of the marine survey transferred to other ports.
§ Mr. EyreRemoval expenses are paid in accordance with the terms and conditions laid down in the Civil Service pay and conditions of service code, a copy of which is in the Library.