§ Mr. ProsserTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many ships were found to be unhygienic as a result of the inspections of ships for nuisances; and how many special notices were served under the provisions of the Public Health (Ships) Regulations 1979 in each year since 1990. [74968]
§ Ms JowellI have been asked to reply.
The Department does not keep central records on the results of tests made under the Environmental Health Act 1990 and the Public Health (Ships) Regulations 1979, 246W which are a local inspection function. However, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has provided figures on the number of ships detained under Merchant Shipping legislation where deficiencies have included food and hygiene items. Figures before 1994–95 are not available.
Year Number of ships detained where deficiencies included food and hygiene items 1994–95 48 1995–96 63 1996–97 64 1997–98 75