§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much the 333W Marine Accidents Investigation Branch investigations into the sinking of the (a) Derbyshire, (b) Marchioness and (c) Gaul, cost. [139818]
§ Mr. HillThe Derbyshire sank in 1980 well before the Marine Accidents Investigation Branch (MAIB) had been established and the Branch played a very limited role in the investigations into the ship's loss. The cost of the MAIB's involvement cannot be separately identified but was not significant. Overall, the cost to the Department of the Derbyshire investigations up to and including the re-opened Formal Investigation are estimated as totalling between £9 and £10 million, including legal fees.
The MAIB undertook an investigation into the loss of the Marchioness and has, more recently, assisted the Attorney-General in the Formal Investigation which is currently being held. The costs of individual MAIB Investigations are not separately recorded. Overall, the cost to the Department of the Marchioness investigations, including the current Formal Investigation, is estimated at some £6 million, including legal fees.
The Gaul sank in 1974 and a Formal Investigation was subsequently held. Following the location of the wreck of the vessel by a TV film crew the MAIB undertook an underwater survey of the vessel. The survey cost some £600,000 and the MAIB subsequently produced a report of their survey including model tests undertaken on their behalf. The Formal Investigation into the loss of the Gaul was re-opened and the MAIB are currently assisting the Attorney-General in his preparatory work which will include a re-survey of the wreck. It is too early to estimate the likely costs which will fall to the Department and will include the subsequent hearings before a Wreck Commissioner and legal fees.