§ Mr. HepburnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will 271W publish the Assessors' report into their survey of the "Derbyshire"; if he will order the reopening of the formal investigation into the loss of the vessel; and if he will make a statement. [34677]
§ Mr. PrescottThe Assessors' report into the survey of the Derbyshire, commissioned by my predecessor and the European Transport Commissioner is published today. Copies of the full Report and its Summary have been placed in the Library of the House.
As the Assessors' Report, and the survey material on which it is based, represents new and important evidence which could not be produced at the original investigation, I shall order the reopening of the Formal Investigation into the loss of the Derbyshire. Before I do so I am inviting interested parties to submit written representations within twelve weeks on whether the Formal Investigation should be reopened in whole or in part, on what questions it should address, and on whether the rehearing should be held by a wreck Commissioner or by the High Court.
Arrangements are being made to allow interested parties to examine the survey material collected by the Assessors.