§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for making(a) VHF radio, (b) Decca or equivalent or (c) radar compulsory for all seagoing craft.
§ Mr. David MitchellVHF radio is mandatory on all passenger ships and cargo ships of 300 gross tons and upward. Decca is not mandatory.
Radar is mandatory on all merchant ships of 1,600 gross tons and upwards and those constructed after 1 September 1984 of between 500 and 1,600 gross tons.
There are no plans for making any of these equipments compulsory for all seagoing craft.