§ Mr. CarmichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) UK and (b) foreign ships failed port side inspections in the UK in each of the last five years; and how many people have been employed to undertake port side inspections in each of the last five years. [158949]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe number of ships which failed port side inspections in each of the last 5 years was as follows.
1246W(a) UK inspections of UK and other Red Ensign Group flagged ships:
Number of ships Detained 1998–99 12 1999–2000 13 2000–01 4 2001–02 11 2002–03 4 (b) Port state control inspections of foreign ships:
Number of ships Detained 1998–99 155 1999–2000 106 2000–01 116 2001–02 118 2002–03 132 Specific information about those employed for ship inspection work was collected from 1999. Since then the number of people employed to undertake port side inspections each year was as follows:
Staff compliment 1999–2000 94 2000–01 94 2001–02 101 2002–03 102
§ Mr. CarmichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to protect UK merchant ships from piracy and armed attacks. [158950]
§ Mr. JamiesonMy Department has taken the following actions in recent years to counter piracy, and to raise awareness among the international community.
Ensured that the topic is covered in the biannual meetings of the UK National Maritime Security Committee. This provides a forum for senior staff in the UK maritime industry and trade associations to consider action to tackle the problem.Participated in several IMO regional Missions and Seminars, presenting UK government actions and chairing working groups and syndicates. These seminars have played an important role in raising awareness of the incidence and impact of piracy and armed robbery at sea. Often the work is to make the regions where the "pirates" are based accept that there is a problem.Jointly, with the FCO, provided the UK financial support for the IMO programme of Missions and Seminars, including funding the participation of two Metropolitan police officers with expertise in investigating acts of piracy.Jointly, with the Metropolitan police, prepared an IMO draft Code of Practice on the investigation of acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea DfT Chaired the IMO Correspondence and Drafting Groups and the Code has now been issued as an IMO circular (MSC Circular 984) and this was adopted at the MO General Assembly in November 2001.DfT has also produced an IMO draft paper on the problem of "Phantom" (stolen) ships and this has also been issued as an IMO Circular and adopted at the IMO General Assembly.Produced and ensured the widespread availability of the Marine Guidance Note (MGN 241) advising UK ship operators and seafarers on steps to protect against attack by pirates/armed robbers at sea. This advice was issued in November 2002.1247WTaken the lead in promoting the inclusion of piracy in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) annual resolution on the oceans.Raised the topic in bilateral meetings with officials and ministers from overseas countries.