§ Mr. AllasonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of(a) the threat posed to the safety of shipping and (b) the insurance status of the former Swedish minelayer known as the MUL 16 currently in Poole Harbour; [2103]
(2) what steps have been taken to verify the registration and nationality of the MUL 16. [2101]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the chief executive of the Marine Safety Agency to write to my hon. Friend.
Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Rupert Allason, dated 29 November 1995:
782WThe Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Questions about the former Swedish minelayer MUL 16.The ship was detained by surveyors from the Marine Safety Agency on 18 August 1995 at Poole Harbour. It was detained because of inadequate lifesaving, navigational and radio equipment and insufficient manning. The ship will not be allowed to go to sea until the Agency is satisfied that it is safe to do so. A ship of this type and size is not required to carry insurance and we believe no insurance is carried.You asked what steps have been taken to verify the registration and nationality of the "MUL 16". The MSA has attempted, unsuccessfully, to confirm registry so as to establish which maritime administration, if any, is responsible for the ship. The ship carried no document indicating registry and we believe it to be un-registered. The master claimed that application for UK registry had been made but in fact only a name has been registered and no formal application has been made.