§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the usual procedure for submitting draft reports of the marine accidents investigation branch to those individuals and organisations that are referred to or criticised in marine accidents investigation branch reports. [27186]
§ Mr. NorrisThe procedures for submitting draft reports of inspector's inquiries undertaken by the marine accidents investigation branch to individuals and organisations which are criticised in them are governed by regulations 9(4) of the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1994. There is no requirement relating to those who are only referred to in reports.
The regulations require that if, in the opinion of the chief inspector of marine accidents, the reputation of any person is likely to be adversely affected by the report, that person shall be served with a copy of the draft report or that part which affects him. That person is allowed a 28-day period to make representations to the chief inspector who must then consider the representations and notify the person(s) concerned of his conclusions and any changes he intends to make to the report. A further 28-day period is then allowed for the submission of alternative text by the person(s) where passages remain in dispute. Where alternative texts have been submitted, these are to be published as an appendix to the report unless the Secretary of State considers that there is good reason not to do so.