§ Mr. Boydenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to implement the Rochdale Committee's recommendations on the education and training of seafarers.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantWe have consulted the various interests concerned with the implementation of these recommendations which are numerous and far-reaching and, in some cases, contentious. Substantial progress has been made in some directions, for example in up-dating syllabuses and introducing new training courses for cadets leading to nationally recognised educational qualifications as well as to the Department's certificates of competency. Further improvements in the training of seafarers are likely to be made as consultations proceed.