Draft Merchant Shipping (Safety Standards for Passenger Ships on Domestic Voyages) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2022

Gavin Newlands Excerpts

Tuesday 25th October 2022 General Committees

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

I start by saying that I do not oppose the instrument and will not seek to hold up the Committee. I agree with almost every word the hon. Member for Wythenshawe and Sale East said, though I have to disagree with his reference to Manchester United.

This is an important piece of legislation. Both the Minister and the hon. Gentleman stated that it comes largely, although not entirely, on the back of the Marchioness disaster in 1989—33 years ago—in which 51 people died. The 2001 report has already been referenced, so I will not take more of the Committee’s time by talking further about it. I know it is said we legislate in haste and repent at leisure, but 33 years, by any standards, is ridiculous.

The maritime passenger safety is of course hugely important to Scotland, whether they are travelling on a service for tourism, or a lifeline to the mainland. We have more than 900 islands, of which at the last count just under 100 are permanently inhabited. I very much echo what the hon. Member for Wythenshawe and Sale East said and a lot of the questions that he asked. I have one additional question for the Minister: what consultation was had with the devolved Administrations and with operators in Scotland and elsewhere?