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Written question asked by Jim Cousins (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 December 2004. It was answered by David Jamieson (Labour) on Tuesday, 21 December 2004 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, through how many points of entry by (a) sea and (b) air commercial freight can enter the UK; and which agency is responsible for (i) the control of hazardous or toxic materials and (ii) the supervision of workers on ships and aircraft using documents of identity other than passports and visas.
Answer

Mr. Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport through how many points of entry by (a) sea and (b) air commercial freight can enter the UK; and which agency is responsible for (i) the control of hazardous or toxic materials and (ii) the supervision of workers on ships and aircraft using documents of identity other than passports and visas. [204414] Mr. Jamieson: Freight can be landed at any of the more than 600 port facilities in the UK, although commercial traffic is concentrated in some 50 ports with over one million tonnes of traffic per annum. However, commercial freight could be landed at almost any suitable point. Similarly, commercial freight by air could be landed at any suitable landing strip but in practice the majority passes through approximately 20 major airports. The UK competent authority for the transport of dangerous goods (including toxic and otherwise hazardous substances) by sea is the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and by air is the Civil Aviation Authority. Once off-loaded from the means of transport to the shore/land side, dangerous goods enforcement becomes the responsibility of the Health and Safety Executive. Workers (crew) on ships or aircraft entering the UK are subject to the usual controls set by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate of the Home Office. Workers going on board aircraft from the landside are subject to controls set by the Transport Security and Contingency Directorate of the Department for Transport. Ships that are engaged in international voyages are all required to have a ship security plan approved by their flag administration. These plans include access control arrangements.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
204414; 428 c1651-2W;428 c1649-50W
Session
2004-05
Subjects
Aviation Aircraft Airports Crew Immigration controls Documents Hazardous substances Freight Ports Merchant shipping Proof of identity Transport Regulation Shipping
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk