§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport which countries have registered ships carrying passengers whose vessels do not meet the international provisions of evacuation of all personnel; and if he will make a statement. [38622]
§ Mr. NorrisThis is an operational matter for the Marine Safety Agency. I have asked the chief executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from R. M. Bradley to Mr. Martin Redmond, 27 October 1995:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your Question about the international provisions for evacuation of all personnel from ships carrying passengers.Provisions for the evacuation of ships are contained in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS 1974), to which 128 states are signatory. The combined fleets of these contracting states constitute approximately 98% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant fleet. Ships registered in those signatory states must comply with the provisions of the Convention. Ships registered in other states will be given no more favourable treatment by states which are party to the Convention.