§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for Transport what controls exist on ships entering ports in accordance with the memorandum of understanding on port state control.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerAll foreign ships entering ports covered by the memorandum are subject to inspection. Each authority undertakes to achieve an annual inspection rate corresponding to 25 per cent. of the estimated number of individual foreign ships entering its ports, taking as a basis of the inspection the standards laid down in seven internationally agreed instruments dealing with safety and the prevention of marine pollution. In selecting ships for inspection special attention is paid to those which may present a special hazard, for instance oil tankers and gas and chemical carriers.