§ Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action is being taken by Her Majesty's Government to achieve minimum international 19W standards of training and navigational competence among seafarers.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThis problem is being studied jointly by the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation and the International Labour Organisation. However to expedite consideration of this complex subject the Maritime Safety Committee of I.M.C.O., when it met last week, on the suggestion of Her Majesty's Government, decided to set up a special sub-committee to prepare detailed proposals on the mandatory application of minimum international standards of training and certification of seafarers and also to lay down the basic principles to be observed in keeping a safe navigational watch including the minimum qualifications of the personnel involved.