HC Deb 31 October 1969 vol 790 cc10-1W
Mr. McNamara

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the average amount of fines paid by, or terms of imprisonment imposed upon, fishermen sailing from the principal fishing ports for each year from 1960, for offences under section 376(1)(a) desertion, (1)(b) absence without leave, (1)(c) wrongfully quitting the boat, (1)(d) wilful disobedience, (1)(e) continued breach of duty, (1)(f) assault, (l)(g) unlawful domination, (1)(h) wilful damage, and (1)(i) smuggling, respectively, of the Merchant Shipping Act 1894; how many men were involved; and what percentage they represented of the total work force available in each port in each year.

Mr. Mason

No. I regret that this information is not readily available and could not be obtained without disproportionate cost.

Mr. McNamara

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will list in the OFFICIAL REPORT these principal fishing ports which have industrial disciplinary committees covering the fishing industry; how many of these committees deal with all or part of offences covered by section 376(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894; how many cases have come before them in each year since they were established; and what was the nature and extent of the punishment inflicted.

Mr. Mason

There are at present disciplinary committees at Hull, Grimsby, South Shields, Milford Haven, Aberdeen and Leith. These committees are non-statutory and are therefore not required to report on their work to my Department.