Merchant Shipping (Wartime Use)

HC Deb 24 May 1988 vol 134 c191

14. Mr. Doran

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last reviewed arrangements for the use of merchant shipping in time of war.

Mr. Ian Stewart

Arrangements for the use of merchant shipping in time of war are kept under regular review.

Mr. Doran

Has not the Government's wilful neglect of their merchant shipping fleet and merchant seamen severely reduced the country's capacity to defend itself'?

Mr. Stewart

No, Sir. We judge that there are sufficient British and British-dependent territory ships for the needs of the British forces. In the Merchant Shipping Bill we have included powers to assist with the training of merchant seamen, and, as the hon. Gentleman will know, provision for a Merchant Navy reserve.