§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions for what reason the Marine Accident Investigation Branch report into the Seahorse-Exodus incident of March 1997 has not been published; and if he will make a statement. [90703]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThis accident, which took place in Irish territorial waters, was investigated by both the Irish and UK governments working in full co-operation. The Irish authorities have completed their investigation and are preparing their report for publication. The UK's Marine Accident Investigation Branch conducted the investigation under their "Inspector's Investigation" procedure whereby the report is not formally published but is made available to involved and interested parties. The report was sent to the Irish authorities.