HC Deb 28 April 1994 vol 242 cc266-7W
Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many tankers transited the Minch during the period January 1992 to January 1994 on a monthly basis; and, of the total for each year, how many were laden and with what cargo.

Mr. Norris

Information is not available in the form requested. Information available from reports made to Stornoway coastguard since February 1993 is set out in the table.

Month Number of tankers Number of tankers in ballast Laden tankers
Under 10,000 GT Over 10,000 GT
February 6 3 2 1
March 24 16 3 5
April 17 14 2 1
May 17 10 7 0
June 20 12 4 4
July 26 15 9 2
August 23 12 10 1
September 28 12 13 3
October 25 13 10 2
November 29 17 9 3
December 40 28 10 2
Total 255 152 79 24

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many reports of laden tankers transiting the Minch between January 1992 to January 1994 were investigated by his Department; and what reasons were given by vessels for transiting the Minch instead of the recommended deep water route.

Mr. Norris

Since February 1993, the Department investigated 24 reports of laden tankers over 10,000 gross tons using the Minch. Ten did so because of adverse weather, three were in ballast and four were found not to be in the Minch at all. Evidence suggests that the remainder were not following the recommendations agreed internationally in November 1993 and the appropriate action has been taken with the owners.

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will analyse the data from the tankers in the Minch voluntary reporting scheme, including details of the source of the report, ship's routing, and corroborating reports and estimate the proportion of ships transiting the Minch that are covered by the voluntary reporting scheme; and when his Department intends to publish these data.

Mr. Norris

The Department receives reports made to the local coastguard on tankers in the Minch. Reports are analysed and where necessary follow up action is taken. At this time the Department cannot draw conclusions about total tanker traffic in the Minch.

The Department will consider in due course how best to publish the information it has gathered taking account of any recommendations emerging from Lord Donaldson's inquiry.