§ Lord Brabazon of Taraasked Her Majesty's Government:
What measures are being taken to improve the standards for stability of existing ferries.
The Earl of CaithnessThe Government consider that all ro-ro passenger ferries should be required to meet the full SOLAS '90 standard for damage stability. Despite intensive efforts it has not so far proved possible to secure sufficient international support for implementation of the full SOLAS '90 standard on existing vessels over a reasonable timescale. We will continue to seek support in IMO for an amendment to the convention. Meanwhile, we are now considering alternative ways of achieving the same objective for vessels using UK ports.