SAFETY IN THE SEA-FISHING INDUSTRY

Early day motion 481, tabled 7 March 2000 by Andrew George (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 45 members.

That this House recognises that fishing has the worst industrial safety record in the United Kingdom, with proportionately more lives lost in the industry than in any other; further recognises that recent tragedies bring into sharp focus the need for more effective preventative measures including: a more thorough process of consultation between fishermen and the Maritime Coastguard Agency, the use of dynamic stability tests, full investigation into situations when hydrostatic release mechanisms have failed, challenging the culture of unacceptable risk-taking, where it occurs, using the Fisheries Protection Squadron to check and advise on the safety of vessels at sea, and the introduction of the compulsory wearing of lifejackets on single-handed vessels; and urges the Government to reintroduce fishing safety grants as a matter of urgency to support these and other measures.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Liberal Democrat 12, Labour/Co-operative 2, UUP 2, Conservative 1, Scottish National Party 1.