§ Mr. Berminghamasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimate of his Department concerning likely deck officer reductions on Spirit class vessels, involving the removal of second officers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David Mitchell[holding answer 4 November 1987]Provided it complies with the Merchant Shipping (Certification of Deck Officers) Regulations, deck officer manning is the responsibility of the owner. The manning proposed for the Spirit class vessels complies with those regulations. It also conforms with the view of the court of formal investigation into the loss of the Herald of Free Enterprise.