§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what action he proposes to take following the publication of the report into the 'Estonia' disaster. [20600]
§ Ms Glenda Jackson[holding answer 12 December 1997]: We have just received a copy of the report. Our initial assessment is that all of its recommendations have already been addressed by the 1995 amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention. When we have completed consideration, we will discuss with European colleagues whether any further action is necessary for suggestion to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
The report also acknowledges that the problem of water on the car deck has already been addressed by the Stockholm Agreement of which the UK is a signatory.