HC Deb 09 March 2001 vol 364 cc363-4W
Mr. Nicholls

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he will publish the Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels; if he will deposit in the Library the draft Code; if he will list the consultees to the Code; what representations he has received on the draft Code; and if he will make a statement. [152093]

Mr. Hill

The Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels will be formally published later this month as an integral part of a Merchant Shipping Notice reference MSN 1756 (F). The Merchant Shipping Notice will be deposited in the Libraries of both Houses and will also be available on the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) website.

The MCA is sending a copy of the Merchant Shipping Notice including the Code to every owner of under 12 metre fishing vessels to advise them of the effect of the code.

The list of consultees has been placed in the Libraries of the House. As part of the consultation process the MCA received various representations on the Code.