HC Deb 13 January 1989 vol 144 c797W
Mr. Bermingham

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if any further moves are anticipated to increase the role of classification societies in inspectorate work; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

The survey and certification of submersible craft and their associated handling systems, and the approval of the intact stability on mobile offshore drilling units, are shortly to be delegated to the classification societies. There are no present plans to increase the role of the classification societies in other statutory surveys, but a review of the working relationship between the Department and the classification societies is being undertaken and when this is completed the possibility of further delegation will be considered. In addition my Department is planning a pilot study to test the possibility of transferring to other organisations some of the work connected with the re-survey of small passenger ships carrying no more than 50 passengers.