§ Mr. Peter Reesasked the Secretary of State for Trade what provision there is for checking the professional competence of the masters of foreign registered ships sailing in British territorial waters.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThere is no such provision; nor would it be practicable to make such a check on ships at sea. The international convention on standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers, drawn up in 1978 by the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization will, when it comes into force, set appropriate standards of competence and provide a measure of port control for enforcement purposes. The United Kingdom has signed the convention, subject to ratification.