HC Deb 28 March 1990 vol 170 cc204-5W
Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will introduce regulations to change the layout of roll on/roll off ferries, in order to ease the evacuation procedure in case of emergency.

Mr. McLoughlin

Evacuation procedures are governed by regulations made under the Merchant Shipping Acts. The Department of Transport has sponsored research into evacuation from roll on/roll off passenger ferries in an emergency. The results and recommendations of this research have been put to the International Maritime Organisation for consideration by the Maritime Safety Committee later this year.