§ Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the marine accidents investigation branch report into the sinking of the fishing vessel Pescado; and if he will make a statement. [17938]
§ Mr. BowisThe Secretary of State has not yet received the report of the marine accidents investigation branch inspector's inquiry into the sinking of the fishing vessel Pescado. Normally, such a report would be submitted within one year of the incident. The delay in this case was due to the criminal prosecution of the operator of 297W the Pescado and subsequent appeals. Now that criminal proceedings are at an end, the MAIB will complete the process prior to publication of the report, which is required by the Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1994 and will submit the report to the Secretary of State for him to consider in due course. In line with the requirements of these regulations, the Secretary of State normally publishes reports into incidents shortly after they have been received.