To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why his Department's officials at Hull docks, supervising the trial of new lifeboat equipment on the passenger ferry Norsea on 5 February did not insist that the crewsmen testing the equipment wore life-jackets; and if he will make a statement.

The marine accident investigation bureau is investigating the incident referred to. Its report will address the use of life-jackets and it is not appropriate for me to comment any further at this stage except to state that the officials did not take a supervisory role.