HL Deb 18 March 1997 vol 579 cc831-3

COMMONS AMENDMENT

[The page and line refer to Bill (79) as first printed for the Commons]

7.35 p.m.

Viscount Goschen

My Lords, I beg to move that the Commons amendments be now considered.

Moved, That the Commons amendments be now considered.—(Viscount Goschen.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.

COMMONS AMENDMENT

1 Before Clause 17, insert the following new clause—

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR TRAINING (" . In section 56 of the 1995 Act (financial assistance for training), after subsection (3) there is inserted—

"(4) In providing assistance in accordance with this section the Secretary of State shall have regard to the maintenance and development of the United Kingdom's merchant fleet and marine related business and for that purpose shall—

  1. (a) keep under review all aspects of that fleet and business; and
  2. (b) seek the advice of those who appear to him to have experience of that fleet or business.

(5) In this section, "marine related business" means any trade, business or other activity concerned with the manufacture of, or the provision of goods and services for, or the operation or use of, ships and includes maritime educational establishments, marine classification societies, marine equipment suppliers, marine surveyors, marine and naval architects, marine insurance companies, protection and indemnity clubs, providers of maritime financial or legal services, the operators of ports and harbours and shipbrokers.".").

Viscount Goschen

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 1. The Bill was amended in another place to include a clause placing on the Secretary of State new obligations concerning the review of the merchant fleet and marine-related business. The clause also contains a new duty for the Secretary of State to consult when providing financial assistance for training to take into account the effect of that assistance in maintaining and developing the UK merchant fleet and marine-related business, as defined in the new clause.

In the spirit of co-operation which has pervaded the consideration of all stages of this important Bill, which I greatly welcome and for which I thank all those involved, the Government were content to accept this amendment in the other place. I hope that the House will feel able to agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 1.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 1.—(Viscount Goschen.)

Lord Clinton-Davis

My Lords, I thank the Minister and his colleagues in the other place for having accepted this amendment. It is important to enhance the training facilities in relation to our merchant fleet. They are issues which touch on questions of efficiency, safety and the environment. As regards the Bill, I believe that although it would have been improved if we had had differential fines as between masters and ship owners—an omission which I believe might have been cured, but never mind—the Bill is a valuable one. The Minister is to be congratulated on having taken it through with a very receptive mind. Throughout our deliberations he was prepared to consider proposals put forward by this side of the House. I believe that the Bill emerges from its consideration in both Houses in a very much improved state. For that the Minister has to be congratulated.

Perhaps I may say, as I did somewhat flippantly at Question Time today, that I value the Minister's style, co-operation and courtesy. As one who has had quite a lot of experience in the field of merchant shipping, I believe that the Minister has done an excellent job. He has not been able to do all the things that I know in his heart he would have wanted to do for the merchant fleet, because sometimes that is in the hands of the Treasury. However, I know that he has been approachable. The industry has a view of him which is wholly constructive. I hope only that his successor in a few weeks' time will prove to be as diligent.

Viscount Goschen

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Clinton-Davis, for his very kind words. I am especially honoured, in view of the major contribution which the noble Lord himself played in the consideration of the Bill in your Lordships' House. I believe that the Bill has benefited from detailed consideration in both Houses. I agree with the noble Lord that training is of vital importance. It has been a very high priority indeed for the Government and it will continue to be so. Again, I thank the noble Lord for his very generous compliments.

On Question, Motion agreed to.

COMMONS AMENDMENT

2 Clause 30, page 24, leave out lines 14 to 17.
Viscount Goschen

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 2, which removes the privilege amendment.

Moved, That the House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 2.—(Viscount Goschen.)

On Question, Motion agreed to.