---

Manchester Airport Rail Link

Mr. Alfred Morris : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the Government's current position about the Manchester airport rail link ; what recent contact he has had with British Rail in relation to the project ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo : I refer the right hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Bolton, North-East (Mr. Thurnham) earlier today.

Trawlers (Accidents)

Mr. John Evans : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many accidents involving fatality have occurred to fishing trawlers which remain unexplained ; and what is the number of deaths recorded.

Mr. Portillo : During the last 12 months, Department of Transport marine surveyors have been appointed to investigate all accidents to United Kingdom fishing vessels involving fatalities. In the cases where the investigation is complete, the probable causes have been established.

Mr. John Evans : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions accidents involving Royal Navy or United States submarines and fishing trawlers have resulted in fatality ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo : There have been no known fatal accidents involving United Kingdom registered fishing vessels and United Kingdom or United States submarines.

Underground Fares

Mr. Bowis : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he intends to meet the chairman of London Regional Transport to discuss Underground fares.

Mr. Portillo : My right hon. Friend and I meet the chairman of London Regional Transport (LRT) regularly to discuss a range of issues.

---

Column 419

FV Fay (Sinking)

Mr. Foulkes : To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has about the sinking of the FV Fay at 5 am on Thursday 6 July ; if there were any British or North Atlantic Treaty Organisation submarines in the area at the time ; what action he is taking ; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo : The Fay was returning home from the Isle of Man after acting as escort boat for a charity event. Some two hours after sailing it was found that the vessel

---

Column 420

was flooding. A Mayday signal was sent before the boat had to be abandoned. A rescue operation was mounted involving aircraft, helicopters and lifeboats and all hands were picked up.

An investigation is being carried out. At this stage the cause of the sinking is not clear ; it does not, however, appear that any other vessel was involved and, in particular, it has been established that no British or other NATO submarines were in the vicinity. The incident took place in waters that are too shallow for dived submarine operations.

---