HC Deb 05 March 1992 vol 205 c227W
Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the reply to the request for an investigation into the sailing of the Princess Maria Esmeralda on Sunday 21 July 1991.

Mr. McLoughlin

I will summarise that reply. This Belgian flag ship was sailing from a Belgian port under the sole jurisdiction of the Belgian authorities. The Department has now notified them of the reported incident. However, departmental marine surveyors have inspected the vessel and advise that the upper stern door can be left open without compromising the ship's safety. They also advise that the lower door is recessed into the stern and can appear from a distance to be open while actually closed and weathertight.