HC Deb 02 July 1991 vol 194 cc84-6W
Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research there is available to his Department into passenger safety on ferries; and which of these receive funds from Government.

Mr. McLoughlin

[holding answer 1 July 1991]: The Secretary of State sponsored a comprehensive research programme in 1988 aimed at enhancing the survivability standards of roll on/roll off passenger ferries. The initial phase of that programme was completed last year. Copies of the reports were sent to interested parties and a report giving an overview of the whole programme was placed in the House of Commons Library.

Government-funded research has also been undertaken in recent years to study the effect of damage to roll on/roll off passenger ferries in shallow waters, to investigate the evacuation of passengers from roll on/roll off passenger ships and to produce a risk analysis.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give(a) the total number of ferries using British ports, (b) those over 10 years old and (c) those over 25 years old for each of the past 10 years.

Mr. McLoughlin

[holding answer 1 July 1991]: Figures for 1990–91 for roll on/roll off passenger ferries using United Kingdom ports are set out below. Figures for earlier years are not readily available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

1990 1991
Over 10 years old 185 189
Over 25 years old 8 9
Total 113 110
1 Figure includes vessels over 25 years old.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many reported shipping accidents there were(a) in British waters and (b) involving British ships; and if he will give the number and percentage of those involving ferries for each of the past 10 years.

Mr. McLoughlin

[holding answer 1 July 1991]: The information requested is as follows:

  1. (a) The statistics maintained do not distinguish between shipping accidents in United Kingdom and non-United Kingdom territorial waters.
  2. (b) The number of reported accidents worldwide involving United Kingdom registered merchant vessels over 100 gross tonnes for the period 1981 to 1990 is:

Year Number of United Kingdom vessel accidents
1981 430
1982 413
1983 284
1984 269
1985 237
1986 188
1987 152
1988 190
1989 210
1990 183

The number of reported accidents involving United Kingdom registered passenger and/or cargo ro-ro ferries worldwide for 1989 and 1990 (the only years for which figures are readily obtainable) is:

1989 1990
Number of ro-ro ferry accidents 42 44
Number of United Kingdom vessel accidents 210 183
Percentage of United Kingdom vessel accidents 20.00 24.04

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give the Government risk analysis figures for United Kingdom ferry travel for(a) collisions involving a ferry, (b) a collision induced capsize, (c) flooding and (d) ferry fires for each of the past 10 years.

Mr. McLoughlin

[holding answer 1 July 1991]: The information is not available in the form requested. However, the number of accidents on United Kingdom passenger ferries recorded in a recent risk analysis study for the period 1 January 1978 to 30 April 1988 was as follows:

  1. (a) four collisions; 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1987
  2. (b) one collision leading to capsize; 1982
  3. (c) one flooding; 1987, and
  4. (d) seven serious fires; 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983 (two) and 1988 (two).