§ Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that before British vessels are sold abroad, British owners are signing on crews in this country on the understanding that there will be no repatriation from the port where the ship is delivered to the new owner, and that this action leaves the crew stranded in a foreign country; and if he will take powers to stop this practice.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI have made inquiries and I can find no evidence of the practice to which the hon. Member refers. When a British vessel changes ownership in a foreign country and a seaman does not wish to continue to serve in her, the master is already bound by law to provide for his repatriation, and no further powers are necessary.
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