§ Dr. LadymanTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what progress has been made in enforcing the payment of fines levied as a consequence of the prosecutions in respect of the Ramsgate walkway disaster of 14 April 1994; and what he intends to do to ensure the compliance of the Swedish companies, Fartgsentreprendar A.B. and Fartygskonstruktioner A.B., with the sentences imposed on them. [40339]
§ Mr. HoonThe Port of Ramsgate Ltd. and Lloyds Register of Shipping have both paid the fines and costs imposed upon them. The two Swedish companies, Fartgsentreprendar A.B. and Fartygskonstruktioner A.B. have not. Enforcement action against the two Swedish companies has not been successful. Distress warrants were issued but could not be executed because neither company had assets in this country. Unlike the civil jurisdiction there is no convention between the countries of the European Union allowing one country to enforce criminal penalties enforced in another.