I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together.
Section 33(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1992, inserted by section 44(11) of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000, provides for the introduction of regulations to provide local authorities with powers to enact by-laws for the control of personal watercraft and fast powercraft in areas under their jurisdiction. My Department has received legal advice that this provision might be open to challenge in light of recent case law, however. My Department has recently written to the Office of the Attorney General seeking advice on this matter and on the making of by-laws to control personal watercraft and fast powercraft under section 37(2) of the Local Government Act 1994.