§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requests for assistance have been received by his office in respect of clear-up operations following the Sea Empress disaster. [18358]
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 1 March 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Tony Banks, dated 5 March 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about personnel involved in clear-up operations following the 'Sea Empress' disaster.
On 29 February the total number of personnel involved in clear-up operations was 806.
§ Mr. BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if animal welfare organisations involved in the rescue operations arising from the Sea Empress disaster will be able to claim compensation from the ship's insurers. [18353]
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 1 March 1996]: Yes. Compensation for cost incurred and economic loss suffered as a result of the oil pollution damage for the Sea 145W Empress including the costs of reasonable measures taken to prevent or minimise the damage, will be available from the shipowner's insurer and from the international oil pollution compensation fund, which is funded by levies on the oil industry.
§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what accounts he has received from(a) the Milford Haven port authority or (b) other sources of the grounding of the Sea Empress; and if he will make a statement. [17980]
§ Mr. NorrisThe investigation into the causes of the Sea Empress accident will involve the gathering of information from all relevant sources. The establishment of the inspector's inquiry has been advertised formally inviting all parties with material facts to come forward.
§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons no heavy duty salvage tug was available at Milford Haven on the day the Sea Empress went aground; and if he will make a statement. [17982]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the chief executive of the coastguard agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C.J. Haris to Mr. Cynog Dafis, dated 5 March 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Question about tugs.
The Coastguard Agency has two emergency towing vessels stationed at Stornoway and Dover during the winter months. It has an arrangement by liaison with a tug operator to provide, on an availability basis but without guarantee, a tug in the South West Approaches (Penzance/Lands End). This vessel was not available during the Sea Empress incident.
The availability of heavy duty tugs is otherwise a matter for the commercial market; their provision is arranged by professional brokers to meet the requests of the masters or owners of ships, or salvors.