§ 25. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that ships carrying flags of convenience are not conforming to international standards of safety and crew agreements and, as a consequence, are causing industrial workers to bring pressure to bear on the owners of such ships to compel them to conform to international regulations, thereby leading to industrial trouble in the ports of this country; and if he will take steps to see that all vessels entering our ports conform to the regulations.
§ Mr. WatkinsonSo far as I am aware, these ships in general conform to international standards of safety, and I would certainly use my powers to prevent unsafe ships, whatever their flag, from sailing from ports of this country. I have, however, no powers in connection with the crew agreements of foreign ships.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the Minister aware that most of these shipowners adopt a flag of advantage in order to avoid their obligations under the I.L.O. and that there appear to be no legal powers that can prevent them from evading these obligations? Is it his intention to allow the industrial workers to use action in order to force these people to carry out their obligations under the I.L.O.?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI have set out my powers in the Answer. Of course, further action can be taken through the I.L.O. itself.
§ Mr. NicholsonDoes my right hon. Friend really mean to give the impression, which he did to me, that the Government do not view this position seriously? Does this not only result in a loss of revenue but a great loss of prestige? Does it not also depress the standards of the merchant seamen? Could he, at any rate, leave me with the impression that he takes the matter seriously?
§ Mr. WatkinsonIf my hon. Friend studies the relations between my Department and the shipping industry, I think 403 he will see that this question of flags of convenience is not only a very grave matter but, one which is under discussion most of the time. What I was asked to do in the Question was to set out my legal powers, and that I have done.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhilst appreciating that the right hon. Gentleman has no power in relation to foreign vessels, does he not realise that it frequently occurs that British vessels registered in the United Kingdom are being transferred to foreign owners and are sailing from foreign ports to this country, and cannot he use his powers in that connection?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI will take careful note of what the right hon. Gentleman has said, because there is no disagreement in the House that we ought to do what we can to limit flags of convenience; but it is a very difficult legal problem.