HC Deb 25 March 1968 vol 761 cc886-7
8. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Minister of Labour if he will seek to amend the Redundancy Payments Act so that it applies to redundancy in individual companies in the shipping industry and not to the industry as a whole.

Mr. Gunter

The Act already applies to redundancy in individual companies, in the shipping industry as in industry generally. But the National Maritime Board wishes to substitute for the statutory provisions a scheme based on redundancy in the shipping industry as a whole. This scheme, which has been agreed by the unions and employers concerned and which is on the whole more generous than the statutory scheme, has my approval. I hope shortly to lay before Parliament the draft of an Order which, subject to Parliamentary approval will allow the industry's scheme to be brought into operation.

Mr. Ridsdale

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that seamen, particularly on short sea routes, think that this is operating gravely against them? Will he look again at this matter, particularly as it affects short sea routes?

Mr. Gunter

I take the point about short sea routes. The new agreement between the unions and the National Maritime Board is more generous on the whole than the existing arrangements.