§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to introduce legislation requiring cross-Channel ferry operators to install black box recorders; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThese recorders can be valuable in the investigation of certain casualties, but they are still being developed: technical standards and specifications need to be agreed and production costs established. It is premature at this time to consider whether the device should be installed on hoard ship on a statutory basis.