§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 7 July 1998,Official Report, column 461, what assessment he has made of the causes of fishing accidents resulting in the loss of life at sea in each of the last three years. [50388]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Marine Accidents Investigation Branch assesses the causes of all fishing vessel accidents where there is loss of life, as well any other, less serious, accidents. Individual investigations involve a comprehensive appraisal of all available evidence which might include the interviewing of survivors, underwater surveys of wrecks, and technical assessments of the vessels.
Recommendations are made to those best placed to take appropriate action, and lessons to be learned are published in MAIB's Safety Digest which is distributed widely to fishing companies, skippers, fishermen's missions and associations, and the fishing press.
The Safety Digest comprises individual reports as well as an overview statement relating to accidents in the fishing industry. Action is continuing on a number of fronts to improve the regrettably worsening fatality rate in the fishing industry and I am fully supportive of MAIB's role in this.
§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to review his Department's policy on the non-recovery of bodies lost at sea. [50421]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe recovery of bodies is covered in the consultation paper on fishing vessel accidents and the recovery of those lost at sea. The responses to the paper will be carefully considered and the results of the consultation process announced before the end of the year. We will review our position in the light of those results.
§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he made of the representations he received on the proposed Code of Safe Practice for Smaller Fishing Vessels which was subsequently withdrawn. [50352]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe representations received on the proposed Code of Safe Practice For Fishing Vessels of Less than 12m Registered Length, following consultation in the summer and autumn of 1997, have been considered by the Steering Committee responsible for the development of the Code. Concerns about the complexity of the Code and the cost of compliance, together with points of details, are being taken into account in developing a revised code which will deliver a genuine improvement in safety without placing an undue financial burden on fishermen.
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§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish the proposed consultation paper on maritime safety in the fishing industry. [50389]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe consultation paper will be issued shortly.