HC Deb 09 December 1993 vol 234 c334W
Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce a recognised standard for electronic charting.

Mr. Norris

The standards for electronic chart data and information systems—ECDIS—will be announced when performance specifications are adopted by the International Maritime Organisation. We support this move and hope that the standards will be accepted by the IMO's maritime safety committee next May.

Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about electronic notices to mariners and electronic chart updating.

Mr. Norris

The International Maritime Organisation is developing performance standards for electronic chart display and information systems—ECDIS. It is anticipated that the standards will call for the promulgation of essential information by appropriate means including notices to mariners.

Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made of the export potential for British technology in electronic charting; and what discussions he has had with the hydrographic department.

Mr. Norris

Although discussions have been held with the hydrographic department, particularly within the marine navigational equipment committee on the development of international standards for electronic charting, no estimate has been made of the export potential for the technology.