§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the applicability of Council Directive 82/714/EEC in technical requirements for inland waterway vessels to controls imposed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on inland waterway shipping in the United Kingdom. [78729]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe UK is exempt from Directive 82/714/EEC, as provided for by Article 7 (1) a of the Directive.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what additional conditions the United Kingdom has imposed on navigability licences for inland waterway vessels, in the terms permitted by Article 3(6) of Council Directive 76/135/EEC, dated 20 January 1976; and if he will make a statement. [78731]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonNone. The conditions for operating passenger ships of whatever flag on UK waters were amended following the "Marchioness" disaster. These regulations were applied by Statutory Instrument SI 1992 No 2358 which incorporated a phasing-in period which ended on 1 April 1998.
§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy on the applicability of Council Directive 76/135/EEC on reciprocal recognition of navigability licences for inland waterway vessels to controls imposed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency on inland waterway shipping in the United Kingdom. [78730]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe technical requirements for the operation of passenger ships on UK waters were amended following the "Marchioness" disaster. These regulations were applied by Statutory Instrument SI 1992 No 1216 and incorporated a phasing-in period which ended on 1 April 1998 to allow for alterations to existing vessels.
It is our policy to ensure that these high standards apply to all passenger ships of whatever flag which operate in UK waters. This accords with the stated aim of Directive 76/135 which is a
first step towards improving the safety of inland navigation in the Community".