HC Deb 22 July 2004 vol 424 cc658-9W
Patrick Mercer

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he expects that, by 1 July, sufficient UK ports will have radiation detection equipment to satisfy the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. [184603]

Mr. Jamieson

The majority of UK ports (including all major and high risk ports) handling international shipping are compliant with the Government's mandated ISPS security requirements.

Her Majesty's Customs and Excise are implementing a programme of work to introduce screening equipment at UK ports for detecting the illicit importation of radioactive materials that could be used by terrorists. To date, screening equipment will be in place at a number of major UK ports of entry. This is an on-going programme based on prudent contingency planning which is planned to be complete by March 2007.

Mr. Weir

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what grants are available from Her Majesty's Government to help small ports in Scotland with the costs of meeting the requirements of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code; [185856]

(2) what new funds will be available to small Scottish ports to meet the costs of the International Shipping and Port Facility Security Code as a result of the Spending Review. [185857]

Mr. Jamieson

In line with existing transport security regimes in the UK, the costs of implementing the security measures will fall to those the measures are designed to protect. in this case UK ships and ports and the persons and property associated with them.

Mr. Weir

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations he has received from(a) the British Ports Authority and (b) trust ports in Scotland on the impact of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code; [185858]

(2) what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on the impact of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code on small Scottish trust ports. [185859]

Mr. Jamieson

The Department has carried out extensive consultation with industry on the implementation of the ISPS Code, including with the British Ports Association and other main industry groups such as the United Kingdom Major Ports Group (UKMPG). This has kept trust ports in Scotland and other ports fully informed.

Mr. Carmichael

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the Answer of 15 July,Official Report, column 1276W, on the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, which British ports have yet to receive an International Ship and Port Facility Security Code certificate. [185881]

Mr. Jamieson

It would not be appropriate for us to comment on what ports/port facilities may not have received security certificates for security reasons.

Mr. Carmichael

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2004,Official Report, column 1276W, on the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, when all (a) UK flagged ships and (b) British ports will be in possession of an International Ship and Port Facility Security Code certificate; and why the 1 July deadline for implementation of the code was missed; [185968]

(2) pursuant to the answer of 15 July 2004, Official Report, column 1276W, on the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, what proportion of (a) UK flagged ships and (b) British ports were in possession of an International Ship and Port Facility Security Code certificate on 1 July. [185969]

Mr. Jamieson

All Ship Security Plans and Port Facility Security Plans received by the deadlines set by my Department's Transport Security Directorate (TRANSEC) were approved by 1 July. On 1 July this represented 95 per cent. of all port facilities including all major and high risk ports, and 99.8 per cent. of all the UK flagged fleet, with the exception of one ship.

Port Facility Security Plans not approved by the 1 July deadline were because of very late submission, or not meeting the required standard and under-going revisions. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency are pursuing the one remaining UK flagged ship awaiting certification to arrange a verification visit.

Some small bulk cargo port facility operations are still submitting plans to TRANSEC. We expect that all remaining plans will be approved within the next few weeks.