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Oil Tankers (Inert Gas Systems)

Volume 983: debated on Thursday 24 April 1980

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asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will make a statement about the fitting of inert gas systems to oil tankers.

Inert gas systems are an important safety device which reduce the risk of explosions on oil tankers.The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 1974, which will come into force on 25 May, requires large new oil tankers to be fitted with an inert gas system (IGS).The Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation convened a conference in February 1978 which adopted a Protocol to SOLAS 1974 embodying more extensive IGS requirements.We have decided additionally to give effect to these requirements for United Kingdom registered tankers, although the Protocol will not yet be in force, on the timetable developed at the 1978 Conference. This will require large existing tankers to be equipped with a IGS by June 1981, and medium sized and smaller existing tankers to be so equipped by June 1983.

IEXPORTS OF SCOTCH AND NORTHERN IRISH WHISKY
A)Million proof gallonsPercentage of total exports
BottledBulk blendedBulk maltBottledBulk blendedBulk malt
197874·021·89·670219
197972·319·19·472199
B)£ million fobPercentage of total exports
BottledBulk blendedBulk maltBottledBulk blendedBulk malt
1978580·053·427·48884
1979622·451·63308875
II
EXPORTS OF SCOTCH AND NORTHERN IRISH WHISKY TO SPECIFIED MARKETS
A)
Million proof gallons
BottledBulk blendedBulk malt
197819791978197919781979
United States of America22·020·914·212·3**
France4·65·01·01·2**
Japan4·04·6*0·16·36·4
Belgium-Luxembourg2·52·40·30·4**
Federal Republic of Germany2·12·11·31·20·10·1
South Africa1·81·90·10·20·10·1
Spain1·81·2**1·00·8
Argentina0·20·40·80·6
Australia0·30·22·81·8**
Brazil0·30·20·20·10·60·5
New Zealand0·10·10·40·5**
* less than 50,000 proof gallons

Comparable requirements will apply to foreign tankers when in United Kingdom ports.