HL Deb 14 March 1996 vol 570 c80WA
Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Pending the results of the inquiry into the accident to the "Sea Empress" in Milford Haven, what steps they are taking to minimise the risk of further marine accidents there.

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

The Government minimise the risk of marine accidents through a wide range of policies and measures, including a rigorous regime of port state control inspections to ensure high safety standards for vessels entering all UK ports. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch are investigating the circumstances and cause of the grounding of the "Sea Empress", with the aim of improving the safety of life at sea and the avoidance of accidents at sea. If, during the course of the investigation, the inspector considers that he should make interim recommendations, he will do so.