I begin by congratulating Mr. Swire on securing this important debate. I am very pleased to see in their places Mr. Letwin and my hon. Friend Dr. Ladyman, the distinguished former Shipping Minister, who is continuing to take an interest in these important matters.

With respect to the hon. Member for East Devon, I would suggest that the successful way in which the MSC Napoli was dealt with demonstrates the effectiveness of the UK's arrangements for handling incidents at sea and the professionalism of all those involved. Mr. Robin Middleton, whom the hon. Gentleman has just mentioned, was then the Secretary of State's Representative for Maritime Salvage and Intervention—commonly known as SOSREP. He came in for a good deal of praise, and rightly so.