HC Deb 11 February 2002 vol 380 cc19-20W
Ms Atherton

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent action the Government have taken to enforce minimum international safety standards on ships using British ports and waters. [32126]

Mr. Jamieson

Ships using British ports and waters are subject to a rigorous regime of inspection to check that they comply with minimum international safety standards.

Ships that are found on inspection to fall short of international safety standards are detained until the defects leading to detention are put right. Ships failing to comply with the terms of release are refused access to British and European ports until the safety standards are met.

The details of ships detained by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are published on national and European websites and the ships are targeted for further inspection. Significant breaches of regulations are investigated and followed up by prosecution where appropriate. Details of prosecutions are also published.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action will be taken against foreign ships sailing into British ports which fall below safety standards; and if he will make a statement. [32691]

Mr. Jamieson

Foreign ships calling at British ports are subject to a rigorous regime of inspection to check that they comply with minimum international safety standards.

Ships that are found on inspection to fall short of international safety standards are detained until the defects leading to detention are put right. Ships failing to comply with the terms of release are refused access to British and European ports until the safety standards are met.

The details of ships detained by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are published on national and European websites and the ships are targeted for further inspection. Significant breaches of regulations are investigated and followed up by prosecution where appropriate. Details of prosecutions are also published.

Two sets of international rules relating to seafarer training and certification and safety management will be introduced in 2002 and will be enforced through the inspection regime.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many foreign ships have fallen short of safety standards while in British ports in each year since 1997; what measures have been put in place to deal with these ships; how much money has been spent dealing with such ships; and if he will make a statement. [32690]

Mr. Jamieson

The number of times foreign ships have been detained for falling short of safety standards following inspection in British ports is given in the table, for each year since 1997.

Number of detentions
1997–98 179
1998–99 155
1999–00 106
2000–01 116
2001–02 1
1 This figure is not yet available.

Ships that have been detained are not permitted to sail until the deficiencies are put right. A ship that does not comply with the conditions of release from detention may be banned from operating to ports in the UK and Europe.

Information on the results of inspections is shared with other European coastal countries and widely published. Ships with a poor inspection history are targeted for further inspection within the region, with the risk of further sanctions.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) investigates any significant breach of safety regulations and may prosecute if appropriate. The budget in 2001–02 for inspection and enforcement of international, European and national rules on safety and pollution prevention for all ships using British ports is £2,924,000. The money spent on inspection and enforcement relating to foreign ships only is not available.