To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many collisions and other accidents involving ships in the River Usk, Gwent have taken place in the past three years; and how many of these involved ships carrying toxic wastes.
Records show that there have been two accidents involving ships in the River Usk in the past three years. The details are:
| Date of accident | Name of vessel | Type of accident |
| 13 November 1989 | Hargevan | Grounding |
| 24 April 1990 | Bell Ranger/Morias | Collision |
The Bell Ranger was carrying, among other items, a container of drums of chemical waste. The chemical is classified as a toxic substance. Hargeven and Morias were both carrying cargoes of steel.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 6 July to the hon. Member for Newport, West, Official Report, column 737, if he has any additional information (a) on the condition of the containers and (b) the severity of the collision.
I have no information on the condition of the containers as commissioned for use but none was damaged in the incident in question.As to the severity of the collision, both vessels sustained only minor damage.