§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is considering any plans to adopt standards for shipping in the United Kingdom; and what account he is taking of whether such standards are compatible with the framework set by the International. Maritime Organisation.
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 12 July 1993]: Safety standards for shipping are under continuous review, particularly at the International Maritime Organisation. The standards applying to United Kingdom ships are based upon those developed internationally unless there is just cause to do otherwise, such as the initiative being taken with our European neighbours to establish adequate survivability standards for roll-on-roll-off passenger ferries built before 1990.