§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied that adequate checks exist over the manifests of cross-Channel ferries in order to detect the carrying of toxic chemical wastes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe onus to ensure that dangerous goods manifests are correct is placed upon the shipper and the ship operator in the Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1981, as amended.
My marine surveyors do carry out spot checks on the dangerous goods manifests, but this can ensure only that the goods can be carried on the vessel inspected and that they are correctly located. It is not possible to detect from the dangerous goods manifest undeclared or wrongly declared dangerous goods.