§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will outline the procedures which govern the testing of prototype life-saving equipment on(a) operational ferries and (b) other vessels.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe procedures for testing the life-saving equipment on all merchant ships are prescribed in the Merchant Shipping (Life-Saving Appliances) Regulations 1986, as amended, and described in detail in the Department's publication, "Survey of Life-Saving Appliances; volume 2". Prototype, modified and production appliances are subject to the appropriate strength and operational tests to ensure that they are safe and will be effective in service.