HC Deb 12 February 1993 vol 218 cc864-5W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many oil tankers travelled through United Kingdom waters in the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Norris

This information is not available.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to provide 24-hour availability of tugs to assist oil tankers in distress.

Mr. Norris

The provision of salvage tugs is a matter for commercial salvage companies and other owners of suitable vessels. Suitable Ministry of Defence vessels will offer emergency assistance if they are available and no suitable commercial vessel is within reach. The Government have no plans to provide salvage tugs themselves, other than for Ministry of Defence purposes. The Government are aware of work being done by the international salvage industry on the availability of salvage services and will consider carefully the implications of the forthcoming report by the industry's salvage working group. In addition, Lord Donaldson has identified that one of the topics which he expects his inquiry to consider is whether present and traditional salvage arrangements are satisfactory in the context of a hazardous cargo, and at its recent meeting the EC Council noted that the Commission intends to include in its communication on maritime safetyInitiatives to … promote measures concerning emergency services, in particular towing and co-ordination of the availability of salvage capacities".

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ban oil tankers built before 1980 from British waters.

Mr. Norris

There is no justification for banning tankers on a basis of age. A well-operated pre-1980 tanker presents less risk to the environment than a badly managed new vessel. This will be considered by Lord Donaldson in his inquiry, taking account of the economic implications as set out in his terms of reference.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to advocate mandatory standards at international level for alcohol policies and fail-safe mechanisms on oil tankers.

Mr. Norris

The United Kingdom already gives support at the International Maritime Organisation to international endorsement of a legal intoxication standard based on blood-alcohol level or equivalent and has a leading role in ensuring international recognition of the highest possible standards of design and construction for oil tankers and other merchant ships, having regard to detailed Classification Society requirements and any ship's specific company requirement related to the intended nature of service.