§ Mr. HagueTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what further progress has been made with regard to interim measures following the MV Braer incident.
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§ Mr. MacGregorA paper was submitted to the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation yesterday for consideration at the maritime safety committee meeting in May. The paper contained details of a number of interim measures to protect the United Kingdom coast from accidental pollution. The measures include a voluntary code for laden tankers that the industry has undertaken to develop by mid-March. The code will stress the importance of:
- Passage Planning
- Compliance with internationally agreed routeing schemes
- Voluntary reporting arrangements in specified areas
- Advising coastal states if a vessel is experiencing difficulties which could lead to pollution
- The maintenance of appropriate margins of safety in case of ship breakdown
- Testing essential systems
- Satisfactory towing arrangements on tankers
- The right of masters to exercise their discretion in particular circumstances
The paper also sets out routeing measures that are under active consideration. These measures include:
- An extended area to be avoided around the Shetland Islands
A Traffic Separation Scheme in the Fair Isle Channel and recommendations on tanker navigation in the following locations:
- Pentland Firth
- Minch
- North Channel
- Off Smalls and Grassholme Island
- Off Scilly Islands
- Needles Channel
- Firth of Forth
We will ensure that all those affected by these measures will be fully consulted before the maritime safety committee meets in May. Copies of the paper are in the Libraries of both Houses.