§ Mr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vessels sought the assistance of fire services while in(a) territorial waters and (b) international waters in each of the past five yeawrs; of these what was the proportion of (i) bulk carriers, (ii) coastal vessels, (iii) tankers, (iv) warships, (v) fishing vessels and (vi) pleasure craft; and if he will make a statement. [23032]
631W
§ Mr. George Howarth[holding answer 21 January 1998]: The readily available information on fires on vessels and other water craft at sea attended by local authority fire brigades is given in the table. Information on other types of incidents is not available.
Fires in vessels or water craft at sea attended by local authority fire brigades, by type of vessel, 1992 to 1996 United Kingdom Number Type of vessel or water craft 1992 1993 11994 11995 1.21996 Oil tankers — — — — — Defence vessels3 n/a n/a — — — Fishing vessels3 n/a n/a 2 7 1 Small craft, dinghies, etc. 9 13 1 6 6 Houseboats — — — — — Passenger vessels, ferries — — 1 — — Other ships — — 1 1 — Barges, including narrowboats — — — — — Other water craft — — 1 2 — All vessels 9 13 6 16 7 1 Figures are based on sample records weighted to brigade totals, excluding "late" call and heat and smoke damage incidents (not recorded prior to 1994). 2 Provisional. 3 Included with other ships prior to 1994. n/a = Not available.