Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether any further assessment has been made of the regular availability of commercial tugs in the sea area of the Inner and Outer Hebrides following recent groundings; and whether they will reinstate a Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel to cover this sea area.

The Government-funded Emergency Towing Vessel in Scotland provides coverage for both the Northern and Western Isles of Scotland. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is not aware of any occasions where a casualty vessel in need of a tow around the Western Isles has not been provided with a successful and effective towage service. No ship has grounded or sunk, nor has there been any pollution caused by a lack of an available tow.

The Government will continue to keep the need for a towing capability under review as part of its assessment of spending priorities.