§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of his Department's programme of port inspection of ships, targeted on pollution control compliance; how many prosecutions the port inspection of ships has led to; and if he will give details of the offences which have been committed.
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 24 June 1993]: The United Kingdom has inspection programmes for both United Kingdom and foreign-registered ships which include the targeting of ships which may present a special hazard such as tankers. All ship types may be inspected for pollution control compliance as part of such an inspection. Port inspections have led to two successful prosecutions of ships in the last 12 months, both for deficiencies in safety equipment. However, detention has been found to be generally more effective than prosecution in securing early remedial action and can result in the ship owner incurring considerable financial penalties. Non-compliance with international safety and pollution prevention standards led to the detention in United Kingdom ports of 188 United Kingdom and foreign-registered ships during 1992.
§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give details of prosecutions that have taken place under the United Kingdom Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Garbage) Orders since 1988; and if he will give details of the fines imposed and the policing that enforces the regulations.
§ Mr. Norris[holding reply 24 June 1993]: Since the regulations entered into force, one prosecution has been 425W instigated by my Department's marine pollution control unit. The vessel concerned was found guilty of the offence, fined £750 and ordered to pay £515 in costs. Further cases may have been brought by other authorities but records are not held centrally.
My Department investigates reports of contravention of the regulations and recommends prosecution where it is considered there is adequate evidence.