Mr. Hookyasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will seek to impose a levy on maritime insurance companies to help meet the cost of expanding the services of the Hydrographer.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisSuch levies could only be imposed on British companies and would put them at a disadvantage compared with overseas companies. Accordingly it is not considered justified to seek this form of cost recovery.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will hold discussions with the General Council of British Shipping about the need for expansion of the services of the Hydrographer;
(2) if he will seek to impose a levy on shipping companies to help meet the cost of the work of the Hydrographer which is essential for the safety of ships at sea.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisFollowing previous consultations of this kind further meetings with the general council of British Shipping will take place, the next later this month to assess the future needs of merchant shipping for hydrographic surveys. During these meetings we will consider the question of the funding of the hydrographic services.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many new marine works including offshore structures and pipelines, were notified to the Hydrographer in 1974, 1975 and to date in 1976.
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§ Mr. Clinton DavisMy Department sent the following notifications direct to the Hydrographer in the years shown:
1974 1975 1976 (to date) General tidal works 70 99 80 Permanent offshore oil/gas installations 13 10 15 Pipelines 12 13 5 In addition, as required by the terms of my consent to drilling operations by exploration rigs, the following notifications were sent to the Hydrographer by oil/gas operators;
1974 1975 1976 (to date) Exploration rigs 98 114 69