asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will discuss with other maritime nations the desirability of an international requirement that all ships should carry electronic position fixing devices, in order that ships, particularly oil tankers, are not necessarily obliged to approach a coastline in order to fix their positions accurately, thus lessening the risk of disasters similar to that caused by the "Amoco Cadiz."

We have for some time been in detailed discussion with other maritime nations at IMCO regarding the mandatory carriage of electronic position fixing devices by ships.