HC Deb 15 April 1965 vol 710 cc1642-4
14. Sir Knox Cunningham

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made on the process of revising the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894; and on what particular subjects a start has been made.

The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. Roy Mason)

As I told the hon. and learned Member on 25th February, discussions at official level are in progress between the Board of Trade and the shipowners' and seafarers' organisations about the provisions relating to seafarers, but I cannot say what the outcome will be.

Sir Knox Cunningham

When are we to have some of the dynamic action we have been promised? Will the hon. Gentleman take the advice of his right hon. Friend and start by knocking hell out of his Department?

Mr. Mason

The hon. and learned Gentleman has in the past put down eight Questions on this topic asking for some action to be taken by the previous Administration. On every occasion, the right hon. Gentleman the then Minister of Transport refused to take any action at all. The hon. and learned Gentleman pressed for this to be done in a speech on the Gracious Speech. We have now started discussions, and I cannot understand what he is belly-aching about.

Mr. Ogden

Would not my hon. Friend agree that we on this side of the House, possibly in agreement with the Merchant Shipping Association, are more concerned to have the right decision than a hasty one? Is he aware that we accept that my hon. Friend has been discussing the subject for a matter of months but that the decisions will have to apply for a matter of years?

Mr. Mason

I am much obliged to my hon. Friend for showing greater wisdom than the hon. and learned Gentleman. This is a vast and complicated problem, and will take a long time to deal with. The hon. and learned Gentleman will have to be patient.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are over 60 different statutes which deal with the Merchant Shipping Act and that these conversations have been going on for quite a long time? When will he get down to the Matter?

Mr. Mason

We are aware of the many Acts flowing from the 1894 Act, but in their 13 years the Tory Administration refused the whole time to look at the matter.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

On a point of order. Is it in order to ask the Minister to "knock hell out of his Department"?

Mr. Speaker

Very odd things are happening at the moment.

Sir Knox Cunningham

I certainly withdraw that remark. I was led astray by what was said in a speech by the Prime Minister in America.

Mr. Speaker

These public confessions do not help us to get on with Questions.