§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that aircraft and ships are not overloaded as a result of the changes in duty-free and duty-paid concessions from 1 January 1993.
§ Mr. NorrisThe proposed changes in duty-free and duty-paid concessions from 1 January 1993 will not have any effect on the loading of goods on aircraft and ships.
It is, and will remain, the duty of the commander of the ship and aircraft to ensure he is satisfied that all goods loaded onto the vessel or aircraft are stowed, distributed, secured and segregated so as to ensure that the load may be carried safely on the voyage or flight. Such loading would be in accordance with the design and performance characteristics of the vessel or aircraft. Monitoring, by a process of ongoing inspections by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for aircraft and the Surveyor General's Organisation (SGO) for marine vessels, ensure that safety standards are not compromised.