§ Mr. PickthallTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what responsibilities his Department undertakes in connection with British Overseas Territories. [123993]
§ Mr. McNultyWhile the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has general responsibility for the overseas territories, this Department takes the lead on international transport issues.
The Secretary of State is responsible for:
the general superintendence of all matters relating to merchant shipping under the Merchant Shipping Act 1995, which includes ships registered under the law of an overseas territory;ensuring that overseas territories implement the IMO International Ship and Port Facility Security Code;ensuring that the overseas territories implement international standards relating to Aviation safety and security;issuing permits to foreign airlines wishing to operate scheduled or programmed charter services to or from the overseas territories;negotiations on EC legislative proposals on transport matters which will apply in Gibraltar.My Department provides advice and assistance to the overseas territories regarding these and related issues on an ongoing basis.