§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether, further to the reply to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, Official Report, 23 January, c. 633–4, the 80 barrels of weedkiller lost from the Dana Optima on 13 January were stowed on deck in accordance with International Maritime Organisation regulations.
§ Mr. David MitchellThere are no International Maritime Organisation convention regulations relating to the stowage of barrels containing this agro-chemical. The International Maritime dangerous goods code permits this substance to be carried either below deck or on deck. My Department's Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1981 require, inter alia, that dangerous goods shall be stowed in a safe and proper manner. The Department's Merchant Shipping (Load Line) (Deck Cargo) Regulations 1968 require that deck cargo shall be so secured as to ensure, as far as practicable, that there will be no movements of that cargo relative to the ship in the worst sea and weather conditions which may normally be expected on the voyage, and lashings and all fittings used for their attachment shall be of adequate strength for that purpose. We have no information as to how this cargo was actually stowed.