§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on changes to the safety bodies responsible for(a) marine and (b) port safety issues since June 2001. [45650]
§ Mr. JamiesonThere have been no such changes.
§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with(a) Humber pilots and (b) Associated British Ports since 12 December 2001 regarding pilotage on the River Humber. [45647]
§ Mr. JamiesonOfficials have maintained regular contact with ABP in order to confirm the assurances which they have given us that the safe operation of the Humber ports will not be affected by a dispute with their former pilots. Officials last met representatives of the former pilots at the end of January when the former Chairman and Secretary of Humber Pilots Ltd. called shortly before giving up these positions. The Department has since had two exchanges of correspondence with the acting Chairman.
§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions by what mechanism his Department(a) implements and (b) monitors marine organisations and companies against the Port Marine Safety Code. [45649]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Port Marine Safety Code applies to statutory harbour authorities, some of which are companies—others are trusts and local authorities. The code required participating authorities to complete 667W implementation by the end of 2001, and the Department has commenced a review of this work which will run to the end of 2002.
§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of changes to the nature of pilotage since 12 December 2001. [45648]
§ Mr. JamiesonA new pilotage service was introduced on the Humber on 12 December when the former pilots went on strike. My Department has closely monitored the new arrangements and I hope to be in a position to place in the Library a copy of a report of that work.
§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received since 12 December 2001 from(a) Humber pilots and (b) Associated British Ports regarding (i) pilotage on the River Humber and (ii) other issues. [45646]
§ Mr. JamiesonAssociated British Ports have provided regular reports to confirm the assurances which they have given us that the safe operation of the Humber ports will not be affected by a dispute with their former pilots. Former Humber pilots and others—mainly pilots in other ports—have made various representations.
§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what role his Department has played in negotiations between the Humber pilots and the Associated British Ports regarding the Humber pilots dispute. [45645]
§ Mr. JamiesonNone.