To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many standby vessels have been assessed as satisfactory in terms of the regulations and criteria set out in the revised code for the assessment of the suitability of standby vessels attending offshore installations; what proportion of the fleet of standby vessels this number represents; and if he will make a statement.

Forty-three standby vessels, representing 22 per cent. of the fleet, have been assessed and comply with the revised code. A further 75 vessels are at various stages of assessment.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many standby vessels have been assessed as unsuitable or inadequate in relation to the regulations and criteria set out in the revised code for the assessment of the suitability of standby vessels attending offshore installations; and what action was taken in each case.

Full compliance with the code is not required until 31 December 1992 to allow vessel owners time to carry out any modifications found necessary. Most of the 75 vessels currently under assessment will require some modification and owners are being advised accordingly; it is for owners to decide if the cost of modification renders the further use of their vessels uneconomic.