HC Deb 20 November 2001 vol 375 cc218-9W
Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many fishing vessels of over 12 metres have had an MCA sea worthiness test in each year for the last 10 years for which figures are available. [15663]

Mr. Jamieson

The number of fishing vessels over 12 metres in registered length that have undergone a survey and been issued with a UK Fishing Vessel Safety Certificate in the last 10 years is as follows.

Year Number of surveys
1990–91 508
1991–92 581
1992–93 550
1993–94 564
1994–95 395
1995–96 361
1996–97 399
1997–98 376
1998–99 274
1999–2000 303
2000–01 358

Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many fishing vessels of over 12 metres length are registered which are liable for(a) a mandatory MCA test and (b) a sea worthiness certificate. [15662]

Mr. Jamieson

There are 1,236 fishing vessels over 12 metres in length registered in the UK. All these vessels are issued with a sea worthiness certificate in the form of a UK Fishing Vessel Safety Certificate and are subject to the mandatory tests associated with the certificate as appropriate to the individual vessels.

Andrew George

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many fishing vessels of over 12 metres length have failed to pass their MCA sea worthiness test in each year for the past 10 years for which records are available. [15661]

Mr. Jamieson

In practical terms no fishing vessel over 12 metres in registered length fails its sea worthiness test when presented for survey. Vessels presented for survey are issued with a list of defects that are rectified before the Fishing Vessel Safety Certificate is issued.