HC Deb 28 March 1988 vol 130 c353W
Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what form statistics are now available for the two years and two months prior to the sinking of the Herald of Free Enterprise concerning inspections of ro/ro ferries by marine surveyors.

Mr. David Mitchell

These statistics are available in the form quoted by my right hon. Friend in his reply on 10 March at column294.

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the reason for the change in recording methods of inspection of ro/ro ferries by marine surveyors before and after the sinking of the Herald of Free Enterprise, and the date of this change.

Mr. David Mitchell

The reason for changing the method of recording the inspections of ro/ro ferries was to ensure that all such ships and their on-board operation practices were being inspected. The changes dated from 6 March 1987.