§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the implications for safety of British passengers travelling on ferry services crewed and staffed by non-English speaking officers and ratings.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThis is kept under review. Surveyors make unannounced safety inspections of foreign registered passenger ro-ro ferries visiting United Kingdom ports and, among other items, they are instructed to check that enough crew can speak English to be able to give announcements and communicate with United Kingdom passengers in an emergency.