§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations he has received concerning omissions of relevant facts from the investigation and report of the marine accident investigation branch into the Marchioness disaster;
(2) on what date he received the letter from the hon. Member for Newham, South dated 19 August concerning the Marchioness report and the numbers of accidents over the years which have involved the dredger Bowbelle; on what date his letter R/M/PSO/13111/91 was sent in reply; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinNo representations concerning omissions of relevant facts from the investigation and report have been received.
The letter of 19 August from the hon. Member was received on 20 August; I replied on 19 September. That letter from the hon. Member was not considered to be a representation about relevant facts in the context of the Marchioness report. The marine accident investigation branch inspectors were aware of the number of incidents involving vessels, including Bowbelle, which had occurred prior to the tragic accident that they were investigating. Section 15 of the report discussed the reaction of the owners, the Port of London Authority and the Department at some length. To have gone into detail on each incident would have greatly lengthened that section without adding to its value; the reason for singling out the incidents described in annex 11 of the report is that they had particular similarities to the Marchioness case.