§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to institute a British inquiry into the collision between the Liberian vessel "Tien Chee" and the "Royston Grange"; and whether the Argentine authorities will co-operate in allowing the pilot to attend and be examined.
§ Mr. Michael Heseltine, pursuant to his reply—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 26th June 1973]—gave the following information:
As I said in my reply on 16th May—[Vol. 856, c. 348–9]—I am awaiting the outcome of the Argentinian administrative tribunal before reaching a decision whether to order a formal investigation. We are meanwhile approaching the Argentinian authorities to confirm that, in the event of a decision to hold a British investigation, they would be prepared to make the pilot available to give evidence.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what co-operation his Department received from the Argentine authorities over 406W allowing its inspector to participate in their inquiry into the collision of the "Tien Chee" and the "Royston Grange".
§ Mr. Michael Heseltine, pursuant to his reply—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 26th June 1973]—gave the following information:
Although immediately following the casualty our inspectors were not allowed access to the "Tien Chee" or to take sworn statements from witnesses pending the holding of the judicial inquiry, they were subsequently shown a record of the proceedings and given a report of the inquiry. They were also invited to attend the final stages of the administrative tribunal.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department accepts the Liberian inquiry report into the collision of the vessels "Tien Chee" and "Royston Grange" and the decision of the Liberian Commissioner of Maritime Affairs based upon the report.
§ Mr. Michael Heseltine, pursuant to his reply—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 26th June 1973]—gave the following information:—
As I said in my reply on 16th May—[Vol. 856, c. 348–9.]—I am favourably impressed by the quality of the Liberian Board's findings and doubt whether a further investigation would uncover new evidence. It is not appropriate for me to accept or reject the decision of the Commissioner of Maritime Affairs on the report.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what were the certificates of competency held by the officers and crew of the vessel "Royston Grange" on her last voyage.
§ Mr. Michael Heseltine, pursuant to his reply—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 26th June 1973]—gave the following information:—
Certificates of competency issued by United Kingdom authorities were as follows:—
Master—Master (Foreign-Going) Certificate; First Mate—Master (Foreign-Going) Certificate; Second Mate—1st Mate (Foreign-Going) Certificate; Extra Second Mate—1st Mate (Foreign-Going) Certificate; Chief Engineer—1st Class Engineer Certificate; Second Engineer—2nd Class Engineer Certificate; First Radio Officer—1st Class Certificate in Radiotelegraphy; Second Radio Officer—2nd Class 407W Certificate in Radiotelegraphy; Chief Cook—Cook's Certificate; Boatswain and 10 of the Ratings—Able Seaman Certificate; Another Rating—Efficient Deckhand Certificate.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to protest to the Argentine authorities at their non-compliance with the IMCO recommendation regarding rights of interested parties to attend the inquiry held in Argentina into the collision of the "Royston Grange" and "Tien Chee".
§ Mr. Michael Heseltine, pursuant to his reply—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 26th June 1973]—gave the following information:—
we drew the attention of the Argentinian authorities to the relevant IMCO resolution. Subsequently we were shown copies of the records of the judicial proceedings and given a copy of the verdict and a DTI inspector was invited to attend the final stages of the administrative tribunal.
§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department has investigated the allegation in the Liberian inquiry report into the collision of the vessels "Royston Grange" and "Tien Chee" that the radio transmitter on the "Royston Grange" was not functioning properly.
§ Mr. Michael Heseltine, pursuant to his reply—[OFFICIAL REPORT, 26th June 1973]—gave the following information:—
I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the VHF equipment mentioned in paragraph 17 of the report. My advice is that in the circumstances referred to successful VHF contact could not normally be expected to be made. In addition, independent evidence was given to the Argentinian administrative tribunal to the effect that about three hours before the time of the casualty the VHF equipment of the "Royston Grange" was functioning normally.