HC Deb 18 March 2002 vol 382 c31W
Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish the findings of Associated British Ports recent individual risk assessment conducted by ERM Risk into its new pilotage scheme on the Humber. [43605]

Mr. Jamieson

It is for Associated British Ports to decide whether or not to publish assessments they have commissioned: they are not required to do so either statutorily or under the Port Marine Safety Code.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will establish public authorities specific to the individual estuaries for the authorisation of pilots. [43606]

Mr. Jamieson

There are already public authorities—competent harbour authorities statutorily designated under the Pilotage Act—which are responsible for the authorisation of pilots in our ports. The Government has no intention of separating responsibility for pilotage from other port marine safety functions, since the Port Marine Safety Code requires them to be managed by means of an integrated safety system.