ALLOTMENT NOTES (Hansard, 11 March 1970)

§ Mr. Goronwy Roberts
I beg to move Amendment No. 14, in page 8, line 10, leave out from beginning to 'shall' in line 14 and insert: 'A seaman's right to make an allotment under this section '.

Mr. Deputy Speaker
I think that it would be for the convenience of the House if, with this Amendment, we discuss Amendments Nos. 15–17.

§ Mr. Roberts
The Clause deals with arrangements whereby seamen proceeding on a voyage may allot part of their wages to a nominated person or body. Seamen whose wages are payable under a crew agreement are given a right to allotment, subject to limitations, such as on numbers, imposed by regulations. Where, however, the wages are payable otherwise than under a crew agreement—for instance, where there has been negotiation of a general contract of employment which has enabled the seaman to be exempted from the requirement for a crew agreement—it was felt that the arrangements for allotments should also be a matter for negotiation between employer and seamen.
In our discussion in Committee, we felt that there should not be all that much difference in practice and that we might enable the regulations to deal with both cases. I undertook to look at this again, at the request of the hon. Member for Wanstead and Woodford (Mr. Patrick Jenkin), who made some helpful comments and suggestions, and of my hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, North (Mr. McNamara).
The points might be met if we enable regulations to deal with the right to, and limitations on, allotments where wages are payable otherwise than under a crew agreement as well as those under a crew agreement as at present. The Amendments seek to achieve this end. A general power to prescribe limitation is added. Here we have in mind, without prejudging the point at this stage, the possibility of requiring mutual agreement in certain circumstances.
1452 The Amendment will also enable the regulation to make different provisions in relation to these two classes of service and otherwise as may be necessary. We shall consult the industry about the regulations. It is not essential that the arrangement should differ, but the regulations will enable them to do so if it becomes necessary in certain cases that this should be so. There will be ample room for regulation in different circumstances and for coping with future developments—quite as important as a variation of circumstances at a given time—and a right to make an allotment can be established for all. Limitations in both cases can ensure that the integrity of the restriction on assignments can be maintained in both cases.

§ Mr. Patrick Jenkin
This is another Amendment to deal with a point I raised in Committee. I am grateful to the Minister of State for acceding to it as fully and as readily as he has done.
Perhaps I can use the Amendment as a peg on which to hang, in a few sentences, a general point. In an earlier debate we were accused of representing only the interests of shipowners, whereas hon. Members opposite claim to be the sole representatives of the seamen. I am glad to see the hon. Member for Liverpool, Kirkdale (Mr. Dunn) indicating his denial of that proposition. He will remember that, time and time again, our side of the Committee, supported by hon. Members opposite, proposed an Amendment such as this one designed to smooth the administration of the Bill. I am grateful to have the right hon. Gentleman's assent to it. It was an unworthy accusation. We, like everybody else, have sought to have regard to all interests. This minor point on allotments is an example.