HL Deb 08 February 1979 vol 398 c967WA
Lord KENNET

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many flag of convenience oil tankers and how many flag of convenience LNG or LPG carriers are currently under charter to oil companies which bring them into:—

  1. (a) British territorial waters;
  2. (b) British ports; and
  3. (c) ports in the States signatory to the Hague Memorandum.

Lord JACQUES

I regret that this information is not available. Just over a third of the world's oil tankers fly flags of convenience, this proportion having changed little in recent years. About a quarter of United Kingdom oil imports is carried in them, this proportion having declined from 30 per cent. in 1975.

My honourable friend the Under-Secretary of State for Companies Aviation and Shipping, has in recent months sought and obtained assurances from major United Kingdom oil companies that, when chartering tankers of any flag, they take whatever practical action is possible to ensure that these vessels meet required safety standards.