§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he plans to publish the marine accidents investigation branch report on the Sea Empress before 1 May. [21583]
§ Sir George YoungThe marine accidents investigation branch's report into the Sea Empress has not yet been submitted to me. If it is submitted to me during the period of the general election campaign, it will not be published, in line with the convention that Departments should avoid announcements which might be likely to compete with political parties or parliamentary candidates for media attention.
Interim recommendations were made by the chief inspector in relation to matters on which he considered early action should be taken, and the necessary action has already been taken.