HC Deb 21 March 1994 vol 240 c97W
20. Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to improve the rules and regulations governing the safety of officers and crews of United Kingdom-registered merchant vessels and the skippers and crews of United Kingdom-registered fishing vessels.

Mr. Norris

My Department has just completed the development of a system of vocational qualifications—VOs—for all seafarers, including those on fishing vessels, in conjunction with the industry and trade unions. The VOs are designed to produce a better trained and therefore more safety conscious work force. My Department is also playing a leading role in the revision of the standards of training certification and watchkeeping convention at the International Maritime Organisation.