PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
SAFETY ON THE THAMES (1 November 2005)

That this House salutes the robust standards for qualifying as a waterman on the River Thames introduced since the loss of 51 lives on board the Marchioness in 1989; welcomes the introduction of a national Boatmasters' licence for other waterways as a result of a European Directive, but observes that it requires lower standards than the existing requirements for Watermen of the Thames; is concerned that the new licence will diminish the standards and experience demanded of Watermen on the Thames; notes that 77 per cent. of the responses to the recent consultation were from Thames practitioners, all expressing similar concerns; and calls on the Government to make arrangements with the European Union which continue to allow special arrangements to be made for the Thames, as proposed for the Rhine and Danube.

Sponsored by:
Sir Alan Duncan (Conservative)