asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the occasions on which officials of his Department inspected the Herald of Free Enterprise ferry vessel and/or issued certificates covering its use as a passenger ferry during the last five years; and if any recommendations were made, or requirements imposed, concerning equipment or procedures associated with the bow doors.

The Herald of Free Enterprise was surveyed and certificated by officials from my Department as follows:

Date	Place	Passenger and safety certificate
February 1982	Amsterdam	Renewed
February 1983	Bremerhaven	Renewed
January 1984	Dover	Extended
March 1984	Newcastle	Renewed
February 1985	Newcastle	Renewed
February 1986	Newcastle	Renewed
February 1987	Dover	Extended

Several visits to the ship were made in connection with each renewal of the passenger and safety certificate to survey the ship and her equipment. Each renewal survey included examination and testing of the bow doors and their operation. Normal maintenance work, such as renewal of the sealing, was required, after which the doors were again tested. As to procedures, the approved stability booklet contained a specific statement that the bow doors should be closed before the vessel proceded to sea.