§ Viscount Exmouthasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer given by Viscount Goschen on 18 March 1997 (HL Deb., WA 56), and the statement made by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch in June 1992 that "a detailed report had been carried out" into the sinking of the "Pescado", whether this report could now be made available to the Secretary of State.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen)The report of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) into the sinking of the "Pescado" was delayed until criminal proceedings concerning the incident were completed. Now that proceedings are at an end, MAIB will complete the statutory procedures prior to publication of the report, which include a requirement to consult those criticised in the report. MAIB will then submit the report to the Secretary of State. It will be published as soon as possible after it is received.