UK Roll-On Roll-Off Ferry Safety

EDM number 838 in 1994-95, proposed by Joan Walley on 15/03/1995.

That this House notes that an international investigation into the loss of the 'Estonia' has suggested that a weak door lock was to blame; notes that in the aftermath of public sensitivity about roll-on roll-off ferry safety the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Transport has only temporarily announced the postponement of the privatisation of ferry door safety inspections; further deplores the fact that strategic marine safety staff are to be cut still further; and calls on the Government to abandon altogether its cost cutting and privatisation plans and instead introduce a rigorous safety framework for minimum standards in respect of roll-on roll-off ship design, operation and crew competence backed up by adequate resources for monitoring, inspection and enforcement of all aspects of ship safety. (Relevant registered interest declared).

This motion has been signed by a total of 58 MPs.