§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the desirability of oil tankers and other large ships sending out tracking signals while they are in British waters with the aim of ensuring that their routes minimise the potential environmental damage of an accident and consequent spillage; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisThe International Maritime Organisation is addressing the provision of equipment to transmit tracking signals for all ships. The Department fully supports this work and is developing a research programme to assess various types of equipment and their potential benefits.