HC Deb 13 November 2003 vol 413 cc435-6W
Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what dates his Department held the discussions with(a) English Nature, (b) the Environment Agency and (c) the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which were referred to in the press releases by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of (i) 6 October and (ii) 10 October about the decommissioning of United States vessels by Able UK. [137144]

Mr. Jamieson

[holding answer 10 November 2003]: There were a number of discussions with English Nature, the Environment Agency and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs prior to the issue of press releases on 4 and 10 October. (MCA did not issue a press release on 6 October.)

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on what date his Department was informed that the Environment Agency had warned(a) Able UK and (b) the United States authorities that the ships destined for recycling at Hartlepool should not sail. [137145]

Mr. McNulty

[holding answer 10 November 2003]: I refer to replies given by my noble Friend, Lord Whitty, Official Report, House of Lords, 7 October 2003, c. 145–48. The Department was informed on 29 and 30 October that the Environment Agency were about to advise both Able UK and the United States authorities of validity problems with the licences issued for the dismantling of these vessels in the UK.

Mr. Sanders

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) whether the Government advised the US ships(a) Canisteo and (b) Caloosahatchee on the courses they should take through the English Channel; [138379]

(2) whether the US ships (a) Canisteo and (b) Caloosahatchee were advised to keep to the eastbound shipping lane off Start Point; and if he will make a statement. [138380]

Mr. McNulty

The original course, which was approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, took the vessels through the Casquets Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) in the eastbound lane. At the time of entry into the Channel, Able UK were contacted by officers of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and advised that this was the preferred route.

In practice the vessels passed north of the Casquets TSS and then joined the north-eastbound lane of the Dover Strait TSS. While the eastbound lane through the Casquets TSS was preferred by MCA, the route taken by the tugs was legitimate and safe.

Mr. Lidington

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a chart showing the approved route in United Kingdom waters for United States ships sailing to Able UK's facility at Hartlepool. [137189]

Mr. Jamieson

I am arranging for copies of the relevant charts to be made available in the Libraries of both Houses.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to prevent redundant naval ships from the United States of America from entering United Kingdom territorial waters for disposal. [137147]

Mr. Jamieson

Powers of intervention may be exercised only where a ship is in UK Waters and it is considered necessary for the purpose of securing the safety of the ships or other ships; the safety of persons or property; or preventing or reducing significant pollution. These ships do not present such a threat.