HC Deb 01 March 1990 vol 168 c277W
Mr. Flynn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review transport safety conditions and emergency rescue plans for cross-Channel ferries carrying toxic chemicals and spent nuclear fuel unable to dock in channel ports due to storms during the past month.

Mr. McLoughlin

Ships which carry dangerous goods conform to the international maritime regulations regarding construction, equipment and manning, and are capable of riding out storms of the type recently experienced in the English Channel. It is the decision of the ship's master whether or not to leave port.

Contingency arrangements already exist to deal with pollution arising from chemical spillages, or to recover irradiated fuel flasks from the seabed.

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