Draft Ship Recycling (Facilities and Requirements for Hazardous Materials on Ships) (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

Karl Turner Excerpts

Wednesday 23rd January 2019 General Committees

[Karl Turner (Kingston upon Hull East) (Lab)]

It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr Robertson. The Opposition support the draft regulations, which we recognise will be required as we leave the EU, but there are one or two points that we wish to raise with the Minister. Will she explain the impact on the amount of ship recycling work carried out at the UK-based facilities that are currently on the EU list? What plans have the Government to support ship recycling in the UK once we leave the EU? UK facilities will still want to be able to recycle vessels flagged in the EU after Brexit. How does the Minister plan to ensure that the EU will make sure our yards are listed, and that competition between the EU and the UK is not distorted?

Will the Minister clarify what impact the regulations will have on the statutory responsibilities and duties of UK regulatory bodies, including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and, indeed, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs? Finally, in relation to the inventory of hazardous materials and mutual recognition between the UK and the EU, it would be useful if the Minister could clarify whether ships might end up having to submit two applications—one to the EU and one to the UK. I would be happy for the Minister to answer any of those questions in writing.