§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if any steps are taken by his Department to discourage the use of cruise ships which were built many years previously.
§ Mr. PortilloNone. However, all United Kingdom ships are subject to the same inspection procedures.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cruise ships are registered under United Kingdom regulations; and if he will give a breakdown of the use of such ships.
§ Mr. PortilloThere are eight cruise ships on the United Kingdom register. The use of these ships is a matter for their owners and operators.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what facilities exist for cruise ships to be inspected at regular intervals; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloAll cruise ships registered in countries which have ratified the international safety conventions must undergo a thorough survey of their hull, machinery and equipment each year. In additional all cruise ships are subject to random inspection under port state control procedures. Foreign cruise ships operating from the United Kingdom undergo an inspection to determine passenger capacity if no reciprocal agreement exists with the flag state.
§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the most recent findings of the International Maritime Organisation on the safety of older cruise ships.
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§ Mr. PortilloThe International Maritime Organisation considers reports of casualties to ships, but I am not aware of any recent findings by the organisation on the safety of older cruise ships.