§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he has taken to improve the safety of existing roll on/roll off ferries since the sinking of the Herald of Free Enterprise.
§ Mr. McLoughlinWe have taken a number of steps to improve ferry safety since March 1987. Firstly, new legislation and guidance—including eight sets of regulations—have been introduced. The control of operational procedures which the new regulations have ensured has been fully supplemented by increased numbers of random and unannounced inspections by Department of Transport marine surveyors. Secondly, we have required all United Kingdom flag ferries, irrespective of year of build, to meet the United Kingdom residual stability standards introduced for new vessels in 1980. All but a handful of the older United Kingdom ships, which are at present being phased out, now meet these standards, which exceed current international stability standards. Thirdly, a wide-ranging research programme to examine the capability of roll on/roll off passenger ships to survive after sustaining collision damage has been undertaken. Its findings will be made public shortly.
§ Mr. JannerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether all roll on/roll off ferries now comply with the passenger ships regulations in respect of stability in the event of an incident at sea.
§ Mr. McLoughlinAll United Kingdom registered roll on/roll off passenger ships comply with the United Kingdom and international passenger ship regulations which include requirements in respect of stability in the event of an incident at sea.