§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with British Telecom about the potential risk to fishing boats from British Telecom cables laid on the sea bed in the Irish sea; what assessment he has made as to the possibility of these cables fouling fishing nets; what checks are applied to the physical dimension of such cables before permission is given for them to be laid; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerMy Department is well aware of the risks involved. These underwater cables are clearly marked on navigation charts. Various notices have been issued over the years, warning fishermen not to fish near cable runs and advising them, if their gear snags cables, to cut the gear free rather than haul the cable up. British Telecom is also aware of the risks to fishing vessels and keeps in close touch with the fishing industry through MAFF and DAFS regarding the routeing of cables and every effort is made to lay cables away from known fishing grounds. They issue charts/maps to fishermen free of charge showing the location of cables; if gear has to be cut they are prepared to pay just compensation. The laying of cables is undertaken under the provisions of the international convention for the protection of submarine telegraph cables 1884 and permission to do so is not a matter for my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Kirkwoodasked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the 729W potential hazard to fishing boats of the British Telecom cable running 20 miles east of the Isle of Man in the Irish sea; what information he has about the material of which the cable is constructed, its diameter and its coating; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerIt is assumed that the cable referred to is the one running between Douglas, Isle of Man and Colwyn Bay on the mainland. No direct representations have been received but passing references to this British Telecom cable have been made in correspondence; it is clearly marked on admiralty chart D1826. I understand that British Telecom is increasingly burying cables in order to minimise interference with fishing activities. I am told that it is constructed of a central copper wire surrounded by polythene, a copper sheet and a helical layer of steel armouring wires. There are 12 such wires, each of 0.296 inches diameter and the whole assembly is coated with tar and jute to an overall diameter of 1.73 inches.