HC Deb 12 March 1987 vol 112 cc286-7W
Mr. Peter Bruinvels

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his statement to the House on 9 March on the Zeebrugge ferry disaster, if he will introduce legislation to require ferry owners to compile and maintain a comprehensive list of all persons embarking on their ships prior to the sailing of the ship; if he will propose a code of conduct with the same effect for ship owners; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Moore

Under the third and fourth schedules, respectively, of the Merchant Shipping (Passenger Returns) Regulations 1960, masters of ships whether British or foreign, carrying passengers from or to the United Kingdom, to or from ports in Europe or the Mediterranean sea, are required to compile a return of the numbers of passengers carried in their ships.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether he is satisfied that the cyanide-based chemicals being transported by the Herald of Free Enterprise were being carried in compliance with the Merchant Shipping Dangerous Goods Regulations 1981;

(2) whether all the chemicals carried on board the Herald of Free Enterprise at the time of her loss were accurately listed as to quantity, packaging and description on the export entries, freight manifests and bills of lading relating to the shipment of those chemicals; and if he will make a statement;

(3) whether he is satisfied that all chemicals carried on the Herald of Free Enterprise at the time of her loss complied with the merchant shipping regulations.

Mr. Moore

From the information available I have no reason to doubt that all of the chemicals carried on the Herald of Free Enterprise at the time of her loss were being carried in full compliance with international and national regulations including the requirements of the Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1981, as amended. These regulations require that all dangerous goods shall be properly documented, packaged, marked and stowed; they also prohibit the carriage of many classes of dangerous goods in passenger ships.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ask Mr. Justice Sheen to include in his investiagion the press handling of the survivors of the Zeebrugge tragedy and their families; and to make recommendations.

Mr. Moore

The object of the public formal investigation into the loss of the Herald of Free Enterprise is principally to determine the cause of the sinking and to recommend ways to ensure that there will be no recurrence. It would not be appropriate for the wreck commissioner and his technical assessors to deal with matters relating to press coverage of the tragedy.