§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied with the present arrangements for the safe 200W passage of shipping, particularly large crude oil carriers, around Great Britain's shores; and if he will make a statment.
§ Mr. TebbitMy Department keeps all arrangements for the safe passage of shipping around the United Kingdom's coastline under constant review with the assistance of expert advice from the United Kingdom Safety of Navigation Committee. Large crude oil carriers already report their presence in the English Channel and Dover Strait to the coastguard and their passage through the Dover Strait is kept under surveillance by shore-based radar. My Department also plays a leading role in the inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation in order to gain international acceptance and implementation of measures to improve safety standards.