§ Mr. J. Howardasked the Minister of Transport whether he has studied the representations sent to him by the National Union of Seamen for a revision of the Merchant Shipping Act; and what action he is taking.
§ Mr. MarplesNo formal representations have been received, but I have been aware of the general views of the National Union of Seamen for some time, and I accept that there are respects in which revision is needed.
Accordingly I have invited representatives of British shipowners and seafarers to join my Department in a detailed examination of the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Acts relating to seafarers in the hope that agreed proposals for revision of the Acts in this respect may be worked out. These matters are most complex and the discussions, which began in September, and which are entirely without commitment, will inevitably take some time.