HL Deb 10 February 1998 vol 585 c156WA
Lord Williams of Elvel

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What intentions they have for the future provision of emergency towing vessels around the United Kingdom; and when they will publish the trials report and the cost benefit analysis report on emergency towing vessels. [HL574]

Baroness Hayman

The Government will continue to station, for winter periods only, three emergency towing vessels around the UK. Emergency towing vessels are stationed in the Dover Strait, the Minches and the South Western Approaches. Officials are arranging new contracts to cover the next few winters. These contracts will commence in October 1998.

The report of the three-year trial (1994 to 1997) and the report of the cost benefit analysis on emergency towing vessels are both released today. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.