HC Deb 30 November 1999 vol 340 cc144-5W
Mr. Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received in relation to the introduction of full passenger registration systems on small ferry services; [98659]

(2) what assessment he has made of how small ferry services will meet full passenger registration regulations. [98660]

Mr. Hill

Following political agreement to the EC Directive 98/41, a working group was set up with representatives of all sectors of the passenger ship industry to discuss how the Directive could be implemented. The industry urged flexibility, and the UK regulations were accordingly drafted to allow operators the freedom to determine the particular arrangements to be used for counting and registration, provided that those arrangements comply with the terms of the Directive.

My Department also formally consulted the industry on the draft regulations, which would transpose the Directive into UK law. Representations were received from the following in response to the consultation exercise, and were taken into account before the national regulations were made on 30 June 1999:

  • British Ports Association
  • Caledonian MacBrayne
  • Central Scotland Passenger Vessel Association
  • Chamber of Shipping
  • Confederation of Passenger Transport
  • NUMAST
  • National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers
  • Orkney Islands Council
  • Passenger Shipping Association
  • Road Haulage Association
  • Seafrance
  • Shetland Islands Council
  • South Coast Passenger Vessel Operators Association
  • The UK Major Ports Group Ltd.
  • Waverley Excursions Ltd.

Mr. Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the financial implications of the full passenger registration system for small ferry companies. [98661]

Mr. Hill

Most small ferry companies are unaffected because they do not operate in waters to which the directive applies the registration system. A compliance cost assessment was prepared while directive 98/41 was being negotiated. The estimated total cost to those British shipping lines and ports affected was around £6 million for the initial capital cost of implementation, with annual revenue of around £2.5 million. These estimates were based on information provided by the shipping industry. Copies of the compliance cost assessment are in the House Library.