§ 17. Mr. Willeyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation.
§ Lord John HopeHer Majesty's Government fully agree with the aims of the Convention of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation. These are to encourage the highest possible standards of maritime safety, to discourage discriminatory and restrictive practices in international shipping, and to provide a world-wide forum for discussion and exchange of information between Governments. Twenty-one ratifications are necessary to bring the Convention into force. Eighteen Governments, including the United Kingdom, have so far ratified and several others are understood to have the matter under active consideration.