HC Deb 17 November 1976 vol 919 cc635-6W
Mr. Rathbone

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) where the rules for flexibility in applying surveys under S.I., 1975, No. 330, to inshore fishing vessels are laid down; and whose responsibility it is to choose the special cases and apply the rules flexibly to them;

(2) if he will elucidate the meaning of the last sentence of his Written Answer to the hon Member for Lewes, Official Report, 29th October, column 426, concerning the surveys required under S.I., 1975, No. 330 for inshore fishing vessels, stating particularly how area and types of operation are defined and how acount is taken of them.

Mr. Clinton Davis

Guidance on the application of the Fishing Vessels (Safety Provisions) Rules 1975 is given in the Department of Trade publication "Survey of Fishing Vessels: Instructions for the guidance of Surveyors". Surveyors of fishing vessels consider the application of the rules case by case but, in order to secure consistence of treatment, final approval of all applications for exemptions is reserved to surveyors at Department of Trade headquarters.

Mr. Rathbone

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list and give details of the five examples where area or type of operation, or other local conditions, have been considered in applying in a flexible way the survey requirements for inshore fishing vessels under S.I., 1975, No. 330.

Mr. Clinton Davis

The following are five examples of rule requirements under S.I. 1975 No. 330 in respect of which applications for exemptions by the owners of inshore fishing vessels in various ports in the United Kingdom have been favourably considered:

(1) to carry lifelines and safety belts, in vessels operating as day boats in sheltered waters;

(2) to provide a second means of escape from below deck accommodation, in vessels operating as day boats where no person sleeps below deck;

(3) to carry the full range of publications, directions and information, in vessels operating in restricted areas near their home ports;

(4) to establish stability by an inclining test, for vessels engaged in boom fishing in sheltered waters using light gear; and

(5) to provide a minimum bulwark height, in vesels where this would interfere with normal fishing operations.