Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he last met with the (a) Mayor of London and (b) Minister for London to discuss the (i) Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s proposals for older Thames passenger boats and (ii) effect of those proposals on (A) London tourism, (B) people employed in skilled jobs related to those older passenger boats, (C) London's night economy and (D) people employed in wider River Thames tourism related jobs including in boatyards.

Ministers have regular meetings with the Mayor of London and the Minister for London to discuss a range of matters.

In respect of domestic passenger vessels, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has consulted widely, with industry and relevant authorities, including those in London, on the latest proposals for bringing safety standards on older vessels as far as possible into line with those on newer vessels. A second public consultation on this will be launched later this year.

Policy officials in the MCA are happy to discuss the proposals with any interested parties and take onboard relevant evidence for the assessment. Transport for London was notified of the first consultation on this matter and will be notified when the second consultation is issued.