§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade what action is being taken to ensure that the charts required to be carried under the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Nautical Publications) Act 1975 are adequate for the use of United Kingdom registered vessels of significantly deeper draught than was envisaged at the time the surveys were carried out.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe purpose of the 1975 rules is to ensure that United Kingdom registered ships, of whatever draught, carry the best available charts appropriate to each part of their intended voyages world-wide. Such charts may be published by the Hydrographer of the Navy or by an authority duly exercising similar functions in any other country.
The Hydrographer of the Navy has a continuing task to perform in surveying United Kingdom waters in response to new developments in shipping characteristics; and in this regard there is close collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and my Department.