§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library his Department's reports into the incidents involving the snagging of fishing nets by the Royal Navy or NATO craft on 18 February 1987, Summer Mourne, 16 September 1987, Heroine, 6 December 1987, Prevail, 27 October 1988, Brilliant Star, 3 December 1988, Mount Eden, 17 April 1989, Laurel, 28 June 1989, Huntress, 12 September 1989, Contestor and 13 November 1989, Scotia; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinReports into shipping accidents enable the Department to establish the cause of the accident and to consider what further action is required in the interest of marine safety. Before the setting up of the marine accident investigation branch—MAIB—in July 1989 there was no provision for making reports available for general release, unless the accident was subject to public inquiry. None of the incidents listed by the hon. Member led to such an inquiry.
With the setting up of the MAIB, provision has specifically been made in the relevant regulations for the reports of investigations submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport under the terms of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 to be published. However, such investigations are usually reserved for serious accidents involving loss of life and the incident involving MFV Scotia did not come under 12W this head. The MAIB has no record of the incident involving MFV Contestor on 12 September 1989. The hon. Member will be aware that it is the intention to publish the report of the chief inspector into the sinking of the Antares. Copies of that report will be placed in the Library.