§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold urgent talks with the Bulgarian Government to discuss matters of safety of the Bulgarian vessels Afala, Aktinia, Kaprela, Ofelia,and Rotalia; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe safety of foreign-flagged vessels in British waters is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. But FCO officials have supported the DOT in discussions with Bulgarian officials about the safety of these vessels. They have also raised the question of safety during separate discussions with the Bulgarians, and have been active in support of the DOT with the flag states of other such vessels.
I understand that as a result of the repair work that has been undertaken, the Marine Safety Agency has now been able to lift the detention order of the Ofelia, one of the Bulgarian vessels.