§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the present working arrangements for surveyors in respect of the ship reporting system; what assessments he has made of the effect of these arrangements on his proposed mandatory ship reporting system; and if he will make arrangements for there to be surveyors at work 24 hours per day and seven days per week when the mandatory system is introduced.
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 21 July 1994]: Reports from the Coastguard Agency and other sources forwarded to the Marine Safety Agency are investigated during normal working hours.
These arrangements are under review in the light of developments on mandatory ship-reporting systems, both internationally at IMO and within the European Union, and also recommendations made in Lord Donaldson's report, "Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas".