§ Mr. PondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will authorise an investigation into the incident involving the dredger Arco Arris; and if he will make a statement. [56734]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI believe my hon. Friend's question relates to the vessel Arco Arun. An investigation into the incident involving the Arco Arun is being undertaken by the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch which will report its findings in due course. The PLA is co-operating fully with the MAIB investigation in addition to conducting its own formal investigation as required by the Pilotage Act 1987.
§ Mr. PondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the dredger Arco Arris which recently ran aground in the Thames had a qualified river pilot on board at the time. [56735]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI believe my hon. Friend's question relates to the vessel Arco Arun. The Port of London Authority was informed, when the Arco Arun entered the port limits on 13 October, that pilotage was being conducted by a holder of a valid Pilotage Exemption Certificate.
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Business representatives Jordan/Egypt—4 to 9 October 1997 Balfour Beatty International Colin Ostler British Arab Commercial Bank Mohamed Fezzani Clyde & Co. Niamh Burke Hammond Suddards David Jones HSBC Investment Bank Declan Hegarty IHS International Hotel Services Howard Gaunt John Laing International Cairo James Lawday Kvaerner Construction Robin Blackmore McNicholas Construction Kevin McNicholas Mott MacDonald International Chris Ecob Paribas Andy Simpson Tarmac Heavy Building Materials Overseas Simon Taylor & Steven Jones Taylor Woodrow Mike Kelly Thames Water International Emilio Gabrielli Wintersgill & Faulkner Matthew Wintersgill
§ Mr. PondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what amount of the cost of the salvage operation involving the Arco Arris will be met from public funds. [56736]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI believe my hon. Friend's question relates to the vessel Arco Arun. The costs of salvaging the Acro Arun lie with the vessel owners. Should the vessel be abandoned, the PLA has powers under the Port of London Authority Act 1968 to require the vessel to be removed and to recover the full costs from her owners.
§ Mr. PondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will urge the Port of London Authority to review PLA Pilotage Directive No. 5 following the incident involving the Arco Arris dredger. [56733]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI believe my hon. Friend's question relates to the vessel Arco Arun. I understand that PLA Pilotage Direction No. 5 does not apply to vessels of the type and length of the Arco Arun. We expect all harbour authorities responsible for pilotage to keep their arrangements under regular review.