Sea Empress Disaster

EDM number 508 in 1995-96, proposed by Alan Simpson on 26/02/1996.

That this House condemns the failure of Her Majesty's Government to take adequate precautions to avert the 'Sea Empress' disaster in Milford Haven which now threatens the lives of thousands of sea birds, the environment and the local economy over a widespread area; notes that the Government failed to ensure the stationing of a heavy duty tug in Milford Haven despite warnings of the Lord Donaldson's report into the 'Braer' incident, despite the position of Milford Haven as the principal oil importing port in the British Isles, and despite the grounding of another tanker in the same position in December 1995; records that because of this lack of provision the failure to take decisive action during the first 24 hours of the incident proved fatal; regards this failure as the consequence of appalling negligence on the part of Government ministers; and demands that a full and independent public inquiry, located in Milford Haven, be established, to report as soon as possible.

This motion has been signed by a total of 34 MPs.