Written question asked by Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 11 June 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 June 2002. It was answered by David Jamieson (Labour) on Monday, 17 June 2002 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 28th November 2001 at 375 c935W, on the Braer, on what grounds the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents decided that the log-books did not constitute new and important evidence.

Answer: Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 28 November 2001, Official Report, column 935W, on the Braer, on what grounds the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents decided that the logbooks did not constitute new and important evidence. [62251] Mr. Jamieson: The Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents carefully examined the copies of the logbooks kept by the shore loading terminal and noted that reference was made to `steam line problems'. The grounds on which he made his assessment was that while the entries would have been made based on information provided by the ship, the overwhelming evidence from every other source indicates that the problems on board were confined to feedwater pipework and not the steam system. This was freely admitted but did not constitute the vessel being declared unseaworthy. The Chief Inspector has, therefore, concluded that the logbooks do not constitute "new and important" evidence to justify the re-opening of the Braer investigation.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 62251; 387 c74-5W;387 c75W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Accidents Shipping MV Braer Tankers Marine Accident Investigation Branch MV Braer Inquiry
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk