asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will initiate a public inquiry into the MV Bridgeness running aground on Hats and Barrels reef off south west Wales on 16 June.

A surveyor was appointed on 17 June to inquire into all the circumstances of this grounding: on completion of his investigations, his report will be studied within my Department and a decision will be taken on further action.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if the Nature Conservancy Council was consulted over the spillage of oil from the MV Bridgeness when it ran aground on 16 June.

Officials of my Department consulted fully with Nature Conservancy Council officials throughout the incident. An official of the council flew in the surveillance aircraft at the invitation of the Department.