HC Deb 24 April 1978 vol 948 cc973-4
1. Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the ancient practice of masters of merchant ships imposing fines on seafarers will be terminated.

The Under-Secretary of State for Trade (Mr. Clinton Davis)

This practice will end when the new disciplinary arrangements recommended in 1975 by the Working Group on Discipline in the Merchant Navy are introduced. Provision for this is made in a Merchant Shipping Bill which is ready for introduction as soon as the parliamentary timetable permits.

Mr. Johnson

In the sad event of the Bill not getting on to the statute book due to lack of parliamentary time, would the Minister object if an industrial agreement were reached between the owners and the unions? I am sure that my hon. Friend must be aware of the mischief that has occurred in the fishing industry over the years, with liquor being taken on board, for example.

Mr. Davis

If an agreement could be reached in the industry, I should give it favourable consideration. But that would be a second best solution. Any non-statutory scheme would be bound to have weaknesses. For example, a disciplinary committee or code of conduct would not have statutory backing, and that could lead to problems.

Mr. David Hunt

Is the Minister aware of the considerable anxiety in the shipping industry about the non-appearance of the Merchant Shipping Bill? I am sure that hon. Members on both sides of the House would be prepared to deal with such a Bill in a speedy and constructive manner. Will the hon. Gentleman therefore use his best endeavours with the Leader of the House to bring about the appearance of the Bill as quickly as possible?

Mr. Davis

The difficulty is that the Bill is a miscellaneous provisions Bill of considerable length. I cannot see that it would be possible for the Bill not to take up considerable time in Committee. That is the problem. Nevertheless, my right hon. Friend and I are firmly committed to the principles which we wish to see enunciated in the Bill and which are accepted by the industry.

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