§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list in theOfficial Report the names, number of fatalities and port of registration of United Kingdom-registered cargo vessels and passenger ferries lost in each of the past five years; if each loss was the subject of an inquiry; how many masters of such vessels were held responsible; what was the range of sanctions imposed upon them; and to which regulations do these penalties refer.
§ Mr. PortilloThe names and port of registry of cargo vessels and passenger ferries registered in the United Kingdom lost in the five years 1984–88 are listed, with the number of fatalities. Inquiries were carried out by the Department of Transport in all cases. The remaining information requested is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate expense.
Cargo Vessels and Passenger Ferries Lost 1984–88 Ship Port of Registry Deaths 1984 Camilla Weston London — Fylrix Hull — 1985 Johanna V London — Bridgeness (Tanker) London — Xanthence Colchester — David F Liverpool — Gwyn Cardiff — 1986 Southern Quest Grangemouth — Eilean Rosin Dubh Stornoway — 1987 Herald of Free Enterprise Dover 189 Besthorpe Hull 1 Maral R London — 1988 Grit London — BC Mercurius London — Deepdale H Liverpool —
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow on 11 July,Official Report, columns 458–59 he will indicate in how many of the subsequent inquiries into such losses the master was 594W held responsible for the loss of his vessel; what were the penalties imposed upon those deemed to be offenders; and under which regulations those sanctions were imposed.
§ Mr. PortilloI regret that information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be compiled at disproportionate expense.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow on 11 July,Official Report, columns 458–59, he will indicate how many of these losses of fishing vessels were subjects of inquiry; how many were lost as a direct result of collisions with submarines; and, of those which foundered following such collisions, how many were fishing at the time with (a) demersal gear and (b) pelagic gear.
§ Mr. PortilloThe Department of Transport made inquiries into the large majority of the losses, including, all where fatalities occurred. None of the vessels was lost so far as is known as a direct result of collision with a submarine.
§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Greenock and Port Glasgow on 11 July,Official Report, columns 458–59, he will indicate the number of inquiries where no judgment or assessment was made concerning the reason or reasons for the loss of a fishing vessel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloIn all cases where an inquiry is carried out, an attempt is made to assess the possible causes of the accident. A full list of all cases with information as to the extent to which cause remains uncertain could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.