Transport written question – answered at on 3 November 2010.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what impact assessment his Department conducted prior to taking its decision to remove the service provided by the Stornoway base in relation to the removal of the Anglian Prince tugboat.
Prior to taking the decision to discontinue the provision of publicly funded emergency towing vessels (ETV), the Department for Transport undertook an assessment of the changes that have taken place in the maritime environment, together with a consideration of the frequency with which ETVs have been tasked to assist vessels that have got into difficulty.
The Government believes this is properly a matter for commercial shipowners and the insurers, using the services of commercial towing vessels.
Accordingly, the Government have judged that the risk in not renewing the ETV contract from September 2011 is acceptable in the light of the need to reduce the fiscal deficit.
Yes4 people think so
No0 people think not
Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.