HC Deb 14 March 1996 vol 273 cc725-6W
Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many investigations carried out by the marine accident investigation branch have included publication of interim findings; and if he will list those investigations. [20795]

Mr. Norris

Interim findings have been published in connection with four investigations:

  • Lunohods—1/Borodinskoe Pole
  • Antares/HMS Trenchant
  • Wilhelmina J/Zulfikar
  • Sea Empress

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those investigations carried out by the marine accident investigation branch which have had their reports published; and which of those reports included criticisms of(a) Ministers of the Crown, (b) the Department of Transport and (c) agencies of his Department. [10820]

Mr. Norris

Marine accident investigation branch published reports are as follows:

  • Bowsprite
  • Grey Flamingo
  • Marchioness/Bowbelle
  • Earl Granville
  • Mobil Petrel
  • Majestic
  • Premier
  • RMS Titanic (reappraisal of evidence relating to SS Californian)
  • Irving Forest
  • MFV Margaret and William II
  • Antares/HMS Trenchant
  • Ocean Hound
  • Wilhelmina J/Zulfikar
  • Esso Mersey
  • Queen Elizabeth 2
  • MV Norsea
  • Braer

Representation County of residence Term ends
Commodore R. C. Hastie CBE (Chairman) West Glamorgan 31 January 1997
Mr. T. H. Keen (Vice Chairman) South Glamorgan 31 January 1997
Capt. R. G. Brown DMS MBIM Surrey 31 January 1997
Mr. T. O. Lewis CBE Dyfed 31 January 1999
Sir W. A. Reardon-Smith Bt London 31 January 1999
Cllr. H. E. Davies Dyfed CC Dyfed 31 January 1997
Cllr. B. Thomas-Cleaver Preseli/Pembrokeshire DC Pembroke 31 March 1996
Mr. D. V. Driscoll BEM Wales TUC West Glamorgan 31 January 1997
Mr. W. N. Clarke Oil Industry Dyfed 31 January 1997
Mr. J. C. Morris Oil Industry Dyfed 331 January 199799
Mr. M. J. Hyslop MBE (General Manager) Milford Haven Port Authority Dyfed End of office

  • Havkong (jointly with Health and Safety Executive)
  • MV Hoegh Duke
  • British Trent/Western Winner
  • Sally Star
  • Heather Bloom
    1. (a) None.
    2. (b) The report of the collision between the Marchioness and the Bowbelle and the report of the lifeboat accident on the Norsea included criticisms of the Marine Directorate of the Department of Transport, now the Marine Safety Agency. The report of the Braer stranding including criticism of HM Coastguard, now the Coastguard agency.
    3. (c) None.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the cost of(a) the marine accident investigation branch investigation into the Braer disaster and (b) Lord Donaldson's inquiry and report into matters relating to the Braer disaster. [20815]

Mr. Norris

Total costs of the MAIB investigation are not known, but the staff costs of the three inspectors involved amounted to £23,000.

Lord Donaldson's inquiry did not specifically relate to the Braer. The inquiry was set up to consider the wider issue of the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping. The costs of Lord Donaldson's inquiry amounted to £390,000.