§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the 24 October incident involving the Pacific Crane vessel in the Irish sea; what assessment he has made of the environmental issues raised; what correspondence he or his Department48W have exchanged and meetings he or his Department have had with British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. since the incident; and if he will make a statement.[62270]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe information requested is as follows:
- (i) I have received two representations from the hon. Member for South Devon (Mr. McGrady). Officials have received one representation from the Irish Government.
- (ii) The Pacific Crane has been laid up in the Anchor Line Basin in Barrow Docks for approximately the last two years. The vessel was securely moored when the accommodation barge, the Bibby Renaissance, broke free from her mooring nearby and collided into her. The Pacific Crane was not in transit to a destination and had neither cargo or crew on board the vessel at the time of the incident. The Bibby Renaissance was also empty of cargo. There was no threat of pollution. An assessment into environmental damage was therefore not considered necessary.
- (iii) On 26 October 1998 the Marine Accident Investigation Branch received a letter from James Fisher and Sons, managing agents of the Pacific Crane, confirming details of the incident. On 28 October 1998 a copy of the press release issued by British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. was forwarded to officials of my Department for information.
- (iv) No meetings have taken place between representatives of my Department and British Nuclear Fuels Ltd. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch is carrying out an Administrative Inquiry into the incident and is in correspondence with the owners of both vessels.