HC Deb 20 October 2003 vol 411 c360W
Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason he has not responded to the letter from the hon. Member for Lewes, dated 11 September, on the proposal to allow the dismantling of ships from the US reserve fleet on Teesside; and if he will make a statement. [133289]

Mr. McNulty

Staff from my Department have contacted the hon. Member's office on a number of occasions asking for a copy of the letter but we have yet to receive it. When we do I shall reply to the hon. Member.

Norman Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he undertook of the availability of facilities in the US to dismantle the ships from the US Reserve Fleet intended for dismantling in the United Kingdom before permission was given for that dismantling. [133291]

Mr. McNulty

Such availability is a matter for the US authorities which tendered the recycling contract. We understand that AbleUK won the particular contract for 13 ships in competition with US and foreign bidders and that other contracts have been won by US firms, Trade in waste for recovery or recycling is legal among OECD countries and the EU has its own needs for efficient and properly regulated ship recycling facilities as a contribution to sustainable development.