HC Deb 30 March 1983 vol 40 c390

Not amended (in the Standing Committee), considered.

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Bill be now read the Third time.

6.29 pm
The Under-Secretary of State for Trade (Mr. Iain Sproat)

I undertook to say a few words on this matter.

When I introduced the Bill in Committee I said that its main purpose was to provide a simple procedure for the registration of pleasure craft. The registration of pleasure craft may appear to be a relatively minor problem, but, because of the increasing number of boat owners and the inadequacy of existing legislation, it requires an early solution. I believe that we have found that solution by setting up a small ships register for boats under 24m in length. The register will provide a quick, simple and, we trust, well-run service.

The hon. Member for Batley and Morley (Mr. Woolmer) raised a number of important points in Committee, and I believe that I gave him an assurance on each of them.

With those few words, I commend the Bill to the House.

6.30 pm
Mr. K. J. Woolmer (Batley and Morley)

I am most grateful to the Minister for the assurances that he gave in Committee on the various points that I raised. I am glad that he acknowledged their importance.

It is a pity that the Bill does not deal with other matters connected with merchant shipping. My hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott) will have an opportunity later this evening to raise the wider matters about which the industry is rightly concerned.

I acknowledge the importance of getting the Bill through quickly, and on behalf of the Opposition, in view of the assurances that I received, I am happy to see it pass.

6.31 pm
Mr. R. C. Mitchell (Southampton, Itchen)

Clause 8 says: Her Majesty may by Order in Council direct that any of the provisions of this Act and regulations under it shall extend to certain other groups. To which of those groups—the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, any colony, and so on—does the Minister propose to extend the regulations? In particular, has he any proposals to extend the provisions of the Act as it will become and the regulations to Hong Kong?

Mr. Sproat

Not at the moment.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed, without amendment.