Safety Of Fishing Vessels

EDM number 121 in 1990-91, proposed by Brian Wilson on 27/11/1990.

That this House expresses deep regret over the loss of the fishing vessel 'Antares' following an incident involving a Royal Navy submarine off the island of Arran; expresses condolences to the bereaved; views with concern reports that a trainee commander was in control of the submarine at the time; rejects as wholly unsatisfactory and complacent the Government line that this was a freak one-off tragedy; notes that in at least 12 similar occurrences off the west coast, submarine interference with fishing gear has been established beyond doubt; recalls that in many other similar incidents, including some where loss of life has resulted, submarine involvement has been strongly suspected; demands that the Ministry of Defence abandons its strategy of evasion and denial in order that urgency might be applied to the solution of a widespread and persistent problem; and calls on the Government to suspend underwater submarine activity in recognised fishing areas until such time as measures acceptable to fishermen's organisations have been brought into effect.

This motion has been signed by a total of 52 MPs.