To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many small boats crossing the English Channel have been towed by French authorities into UK waters in each month from January 2022 to June 2025.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many small boats crossing the English Channel have been towed by French authorities into UK waters in each month from January 2022 to June 2025.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the (a) effectiveness of HMRC's policy on long-life assets and (b) effect of that matter on tug owners.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the (a) effectiveness of HMRC's policy on long-life assets and (b) effect of that matter on tug owners.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) the provision of and (b) intercept times for emergency towing vessels around the coast of the UK.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve (a) the provision of and (b) intercept times for emergency towing vessels around the coast of the UK.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to review the provision of Emergency Towing Vessels covering the Strait of Dover.

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they intend to review the provision of Emergency Towing Vessels covering the Strait of Dover.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. While most of us were celebrating on new year’s eve, the crews of the Poole-based tug, Kingston, and the Swanage and Weymouth lifeboats were battling mountainous seas and 70 mph winds off the coast of Dorset to prevent a cargo ship from being blown on to the rocks. Thanks to the skill of the tug’s crew the tow was fixed and a disaster prevented. Will my right hon. Friend join me in praising the professionalism, courage and determination of all those involved, not least the volunteers of the RNLI?

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. While most of us were celebrating on new year’s eve, the crews of the Poole-based tug, Kingston, and the Swanage and Weymouth lifeboats were battling mountainous seas and 70 mph winds off the coast of Dorset to prevent a cargo ship from being blown on to the rocks. Thanks to the skill of the tug’s crew the tow was fixed and a disaster prevented. Will my right hon. Friend join me in praising the professionalism, courage and determination of all those involved, not least the volunteers of the RNLI?

I am very happy to do that, and to praise all those involved in averting a disaster—both the tug crew and the RNLI. Indeed, I would like to go further. RNLI volunteers do a fantastic job around our coastline day in, day out, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

I am very happy to do that, and to praise all those involved in averting a disaster—both the tug crew and the RNLI. Indeed, I would like to go further. RNLI volunteers do a fantastic job around our coastline day in, day out, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that all safety measures are adhered to when handling is done by tugs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that all safety measures are adhered to when handling is done by tugs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is the Government's policy that the UK maritime safety regulations are applicable to the operation and crewing of the emergency towing vessel Ievoli Black.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is the Government's policy that the UK maritime safety regulations are applicable to the operation and crewing of the emergency towing vessel Ievoli Black.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has instructed the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to conduct a regulatory impact assessment on chartering a foreign-registered emergency towing vessel; and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has instructed the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to conduct a regulatory impact assessment on chartering a foreign-registered emergency towing vessel; and if he will make a statement.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many emergency towing vessels are registered with company groups who qualify for the tonnage tax scheme.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many emergency towing vessels are registered with company groups who qualify for the tonnage tax scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total cost to the public purse was of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's charter of the Herakles emergency towing vessel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the total cost to the public purse was of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's charter of the Herakles emergency towing vessel.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) crewing and (b) training requirements are for the Levoli Black emergency towing vessel chartered by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) crewing and (b) training requirements are for the Levoli Black emergency towing vessel chartered by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the respective bollard pull capacity is of the emergency towing vessels (a) MV Herakles and (b) Ievoli Black.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the respective bollard pull capacity is of the emergency towing vessels (a) MV Herakles and (b) Ievoli Black.

What recent discussions he has had on the future of emergency towing vessels in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

What recent discussions he has had on the future of emergency towing vessels in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

I discussed emergency towing capability in Scotland with the right hon. Gentleman on 9 June, and we had an informal chat this week on that subject. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has consulted all interested parties about options for future provision beyond September 2016. I expect to make an announcement very soon.

I discussed emergency towing capability in Scotland with the right hon. Gentleman on 9 June, and we had an informal chat this week on that subject. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has consulted all interested parties about options for future provision beyond September 2016. I expect to make an announcement very soon.

We look forward to hearing the Minister’s announcement. The last stakeholders’ group meeting convened by the MCA received a risk assessment —a proper, substantial piece of work commissioned from the private sector—that made it clear that removing the tug would pose an unacceptable risk for the coastal and island communities of Scotland. When the Minister makes his decision, will he make sure that that risk assessment is on his desk and at the heart of his considerations?

We look forward to hearing the Minister’s announcement. The last stakeholders’ group meeting convened by the MCA received a risk assessment —a proper, substantial piece of work commissioned from the private sector—that made it clear that removing the tug would pose an unacceptable risk for the coastal and island communities of Scotland. When the Minister makes his decision, will he make sure that that risk assessment is on his desk and at the heart of his considerations?

I absolutely reassure the House that I understand the importance of maritime safety in those northern waters, from the point of view not only of pollution—we all know how difficult a major oil pollution incident can be—but of our seafarers at risk on the waters.

I absolutely reassure the House that I understand the importance of maritime safety in those northern waters, from the point of view not only of pollution—we all know how difficult a major oil pollution incident can be—but of our seafarers at risk on the waters.

The right hon. Gentleman makes a very important point. My understanding is that the one tug that has been sustained off the coast of Scotland

has played an important role in the past. The cost is between £2 million to £3 million a year. It is currently used very sparingly, so it is right to look at the right way to deliver the service in the future. Alternative options would clearly take time to develop and implement, which is why we have announced that this will be funded until 30 September 2016, and we will have to make a decision on provision in due course. I will keep him in touch with those developments.

The right hon. Gentleman makes a very important point. My understanding is that the one tug that has been sustained off the coast of Scotland

has played an important role in the past. The cost is between £2 million to £3 million a year. It is currently used very sparingly, so it is right to look at the right way to deliver the service in the future. Alternative options would clearly take time to develop and implement, which is why we have announced that this will be funded until 30 September 2016, and we will have to make a decision on provision in due course. I will keep him in touch with those developments.

Q3

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Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD):

In 1992, the oil tanker Braer ran aground off the south coast of Shetland. It was carrying 85,000 tonnes of Gullfaks crude, which then spilled into the sea and on to our shoreline. It caused economic and environmental devastation. Since the Donaldson report into that disaster, we have had an emergency tug stationed in the Northern Isles. It is our protection against ever being blighted in that way again. The Maritime Coastguard Agency now wants to take that tug away. There will be no finance for it after September. Will the Prime Minister look again at that decision, and repeat the undertaking that he made to the people of Shetland in 2014 that he will not leave them exposed in that way again?

Q3

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Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD):

In 1992, the oil tanker Braer ran aground off the south coast of Shetland. It was carrying 85,000 tonnes of Gullfaks crude, which then spilled into the sea and on to our shoreline. It caused economic and environmental devastation. Since the Donaldson report into that disaster, we have had an emergency tug stationed in the Northern Isles. It is our protection against ever being blighted in that way again. The Maritime Coastguard Agency now wants to take that tug away. There will be no finance for it after September. Will the Prime Minister look again at that decision, and repeat the undertaking that he made to the people of Shetland in 2014 that he will not leave them exposed in that way again?