§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the outcome of recent negotiations within the International Maritime Organisation on the safety of life at sea convention in regard to the risks posed by roll on/roll off ships and ferries; and what was the United Kingdom's position on the policy matters discussed.
§ Mr. NorrisDespite some support, the United Kingdom's proposal to amend the convention that would have applied the SOLAS 90 standard to existing ferries within a reasonable timescale did not receive the requisite number of votes at the Maritime Safety Committee. The United Kingdom's position was to obtain similar safety standard for all ferries. This continued to be our objective at the meeting held recently with our European neighbours, which had a more positive outcome.