§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps he is taking to enlist the support of(a) the United Nations and (b) the European Union for measures to protect British seafarers against piracy; and if he will make a statement; [44028]
(2) when he expects to complete the revision of and re-issue the Piracy and Armed Robbery Merchant Shipping Notice (No. 1517); and if he will make a statement. [44027]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI refer the hon. Member to my answer on 8 April 1998,Official Report, column 285, and reiterate that the best and most sensible way to combat piracy and armed robbery at sea is through concerted international action through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The IMO is the United Nations special agency for dealing with maritime issues. We coordinate with EU partners on issues at IMO, including piracy; the European Union has observer status at IMO which enables it to keep abreast of discussions on the subject.
In addition to playing an active role at the IMO as one UN Forum, the UK intends to raise its concerns about piracy and armed robbery at sea at the UN General Assembly this Autumn. At UNGA we coordinate with EU partners on maritime subjects. We expect therefore to raise piracy in a coordinated manner, through an EU joint statement.
The UK voiced its support for action at the IMO Maritime Safety Committee meeting in London last month supporting, in particular, the planned missions and seminars for key piracy areas. The UK has already made a financial contribution to help fund these initiatives and hopes that they are successful.
The revised piracy and armed robbery advice is now contained in a Marine Guidance Note (MGN 75) which will be distributed towards the end of June. Copies are being made available to the Chamber of Shipping and NUMAST, the mariner's union, for onward transmission to their members and it will, for the first time, be available on the internet.
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