HC Deb 05 March 1996 vol 273 cc150-1W
Mr. Ron Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he first received a copy of the report of the emergency towing study team; and what action he has taken to implement its findings to date. [18892]

Mr. Norris

The chief executive of the Coastguard agency received a copy on the Secretary of State's behalf on 25 May 1995. The report recommended that priority for providing emergency towing vessels should be given to two areas, the Dover strait and north-west Scotland. The Coastguard agency chartered emergency towing vessels for these two areas for the six-months winter period.

Mr. Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 28 February,Official Report, column 581, what consultations he has conducted on the report of the emergency towing study team. [18901]

Mr. Norris

The Coastguard agency, through the government shipping broker, invited tenders for two emergency towing vessels for the Dover straits and north-west Scotland. This involved discussions with the Government broker, with tugowners and brokers and with the British Tugowners Association. The agency also had regard to the recommendations of Lord Donaldson's report "Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas", which itself drew on extensive discussions with those who presented evidence to his inquiry.