HL Deb 23 January 1995 vol 560 cc68-9WA
The Earl of Dundonald

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the article published in the West Highland Free Press dated 30 December 1994, covering the deployment of a Croatian-crewed, St Vincent-flagged tug, employed by the Coastguard Agency to operate in the Minches is true; and if so whether they are satisfied that its deployment will satisfy the recommendations of the Donaldson report.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen)

The Coastguard Agency has awarded a contract to United Towing Limited of Hull for two tugs to be stationed at Stornoway and Dover for a trial period of this winter. This meets Lord Donaldson's recommendation that there should be interim emergency towing arrangements this winter: the inquiry recommended that priority should be given to the Dover Strait and North-West Scotland. Tenders were invited from a wide range of salvage and towing companies against a tight specification. In accordance with government policy, no restriction was placed on flag or crew nationality as such, though the vessels proposed were expected to meet international safety requirements such as the Safety Of Life at Sea Convention. The contract was awarded on the basis of performance against specification and value for money. The selected tugs, which are Croatian-owned and crewed and are registered in St. Vincent, are managed in the UK by a UK company. They have been employed in the North Sea by major oil companies for the last three years.