§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he foresees any potential adverse effects upon safety legislation in the United Kingdom if any deliberations of the International Maritime Organisation are delayed as a result of members' contribution defaults; what steps are being taken to remedy the default situation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Portillo[holding reply 13 January 1989]: No adverse effect on the United Kingdom's safety legislation programme is foreseen, given that the International Maritime Organisation's maritime safety committee is to meet in 1989 as originally planned. At its November meeting, the IMO council requested the secretary general to remind member states of their obligation to pay their assessments on time. This is being reinforced by direct approaches by the secretary general, and individual member states, to those governments currently in default, including Panama which has the largest accumulation of arrears. In addition, the council has established a Working Group to examine and advise on the organisation's longer-term financial solution.