§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by name, for each of the seven passenger ferries which do not comply with the enhanced safety standards recommended after the sinking of the Herald of Free Enterprise, the reason why modification is not a realistic proposition(a) because it is technically impossible to make the modification, (b) because financial 108W consideration prevents work being carried out, or (c) due to any other specified reason; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloI refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Sir D. Price) on 4 April 1989, at column20, which named the ferries that the owners have indicated will not be retained for more than about another three years. Modification would be so extensive that they do not believe it to be economically realistic.