86. We broadly welcome the provisions set out in the draft Bill. We have long argued that the port safety regime should be made compulsory, on a statutory basis, and we regret the fact that the Government has not taken this opportunity to implement a statutory Port Safety Code. Nonetheless, the introduction of new powers to issue directions to port and harbour authorities and to specify minimum standards of competence for harbour masters and pilots are a significant step in the right direction. We recommend that the Secretary of State make active use of these new powers to strengthen and support the existing safety regime, rather than waiting until a problem emerges.

87. The provisions relating to General Lighthouse Authorities are, for the most part, a sensible package intended to clarify their powers and put beyond doubt the legal validity of much of the essential work which they have been carrying out for centuries. It was an anomaly in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 that there was no sanction against local lighthouse authorities which failed to comply with GLA directions, but in seeking to rectify this anomaly the Government must avoid criminalising LLAs for the failings of third parties.

88. We understand the desire to transfer GLA staff to a pre-paid pension scheme—it is in keeping with similar moves elsewhere in the public and private sectors—but we do not think it should happen until a clear need to do so can be demonstrated, and then only in consultation with those affected.

89. Finally, we welcome the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks and the provision in the draft Bill to give it statutory effect.. It will remove from the UK taxpayer a significant potential liability in respect of wrecks in UK waters.