HC Deb 16 November 1998 vol 319 c333W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to implement the recommendations of the Review of Byelaw powers for the Coast, drawn up by the Interdepartmental Working Party; and if he will make a statement on his policy with regard to establishing controls over the use of jet-skis and other personal powered water craft. [59377]

Ms Glenda Jackson

On 7 October, at the official launch of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), I announced the Government's continuing commitment to improve the safety and management of recreational craft through a three-strand strategy. First, safety education initiatives will continue to be pursued by the MCA. Second, and importantly, the MCA will develop a Code of Conduct for all types of recreational craft, including personal watercraft (for example "Jetskis") which will cover best and safe practice together with a voluntary registration and identification scheme. The Code will be developed by the Sea Safety Liaison Group which, in addition to the MCA, comprises representatives of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, Royal Yachting Association, Royal Life Saving Society UK and the British Marine Industries Federation, and will be subject to external consultation before being launched next summer.

The third strand of the Government's strategy is a long term commitment to primary legislation to enable local authorities to have better control, through byelaws, of their coastal waters. This commitment follows acceptance of the recommendations of the review of coastal byelaws by an Inter-Departmental working party led by the Countryside Division of my Department. Following extensive consultation, the working party recommended that:

  1. (a) that local authority powers need to be consolidated in one place, and updated;
  2. (b) any powers must include the ability to provide exclusive bathing zones where all type of craft, powered and non-powered, can be excluded;
  3. (c) local authorities should be given more general byelaw powers (with safeguards to prevent indiscriminate use) to regulate activities affecting the wider environment, and;
  4. (d) any extension of, or amendment to, byelaw powers should not conflict or overlap with powers held by other authorities.

Having consulted Ministerial colleagues, I have decided to accept these recommendations. The Government intend to pursue the primary legislation needed to bring them into effect in due course. Copies of the Working Party's report "Review of Byelaw Powers for the Coast" are available and have been deposited in the House Library.

Taken together, I believe this strategy will do a great deal to improve the safety and enjoyment of the ever increasing numbers of people who use our coasts for recreation.