P&O NORTH SEA FERRIES

That this House notes that P&O, the owners of North Sea Ferries, made an operating profit of ú120 million in the first six months of this year, an increase of 50 per cent. over the same period last year; further notes that contributory factors in the sinking of the 'Herald of Free Enterprise' were crew fatigue and a reduction in the number of officers; and therefore condemns the proposal by P&O North Sea Ferries to reduce leave periods for the crew of the roll on-roll off ferry MV 'Norsky'.