HC Deb 20 January 1992 vol 202 cc18-9W
Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the document issued to submarine commanding officers in respect of fishing vessel avoidance; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

No. Guidance on the avoidance of fishing vessels forms part of general submarine instructions which are classified.

Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a recommendation to submarine commanding officers that a record is taken of each breach of the suggested separation zone of 3,000 yd between submarines and fishing vessels; if he will place a record of these annually in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I will examine this proposal as part of the wider consideration being given to the safety of fishing vessels and submarines.

Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he intends to expand the notification scheme between fishermen and the Royal Navy to all United Kingdom waters; what progress has been made on discussions into this matter; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley (Mr. Foulkes) on 15 January 1992,Official Report, column 643.

>Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made regarding the recommendation of the fatal accident inquiry into the sinking of the Antares in respect of giving urgent consideration to a separation zone between submarines and fishing vessels of 4,000 yd; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

All the recommendations of the sheriff principal are being considered, including increasing the separation zone to 4,000 yd for dived submarines. I will make an announcement on this as soon as our consideration and consultation with fishing industry representatives have been completed.

Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he has any plans to revise the document issued to submarine commanding officers in respect of fishing vessel avoidance; whether he will seek advice on the matter; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Advice issued to submarine commanders on this subject was reviewed and amended following the loss of the fishing vessel Antares. It is, in any case, kept under constant review and is revised as and when necessary, taking into account operating experience.