§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Transport how long it will take to draft the Bill necessary to consolidate the 64 Acts of Parliament which have affected, modified or extended the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.
§ Mr. MarplesI am unable to estimate how long it would take to consolidate the Merchant Shipping Acts. Before consolidation a certain amount of revision of these Acts would be desirable and having regard to their length and complexity and the necessity for wide consultation it would take a considerable time to prepare the material for a Bill.
The fact that the Merchant Shipping Acts have not been consolidated does not necessarily preclude bringing them up to date where necessary. As indicated in my Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Mr. J. Howard) on 15th November, 1963, I have initiated consultations about the provisions relating to seafarers.
§ Sir Knox Cunninghamasked the Minister of Transport how many certificates of officers of the Merchant Service and fishing fleet, respectively, have been cancelled or suspended by courts of formal investigation held under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, during the year 1962; and in cases of suspension, what was the period of suspension in each case.
§ Mr. MarplesDuring 1962, five officers of the Merchant Service had their certificates suspended, one for eighteen months, 81W two for one year, one for nine months and one for six months; one officer of the fishing fleet had his certificate suspended for three years. No certificates were cancelled.