HC Deb 17 December 1970 vol 808 cc429-30W
Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will announce what arrangements have been made for "Criscilla", a trawler owned by J. Marr and Son Limited, to act as a link vessel until the supply ship "Miranda" is in station; and if he will give an assurance that medical services will be adequate for the fishing fleet in Iceland waters.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The "Starella" another trawler owned by J. Marr & Son Limited, is at present on station off north-west Iceland receiving and re-broadcasting routine 12-hourly weather forecasts and any necessary gale and icing warnings. The trawler "Criscilla" will take over responsibility for gale and icing warnings from the "Starella" on 22nd December and the routine forecasting from 19th December while on passage to Iceland.

A special watch on the weather in the sea area off north-west Iceland is being maintained at the Central Forecasting Office at Bracknell and forecasts and warnings are being sent to these link ships for re-broadcast to the fishing fleet.

Neither trawler has spare accommodation to carry any specialised staff.

A firm date for the support ship "Miranda" to be on station cannot yet be given but it is expected that she will sail for Iceland at the turn of the year.

Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects the mother vessel "Miranda" to be converted for support service off Iceland; what are the supply difficulties which he has to overcome; and if he will give details of pay conditions for the seamen upon this vessel.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The conversion is expected to be completed on 20th December. Trials and storing of the ship are to follow and she is expected to sail for Icelandic waters at the turn of the year. The difficulties which have been experienced with supplies have now been virtually overcome. A small number of items, stores davit, heated windows, an inflatable raft and the X-ray equipment, are still outstanding, but these are expected in time for delivery of the ship on the date stated.

It is not possible at this stage to give details of pay conditions as these are now the subject of current negotiations between the managers (Ellerman's Wilson Line Ltd. Hull) and tile unions concerned.