HC Deb 12 February 1970 vol 795 cc413-4W
Mr. Homer

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many merchant seamen were dealt with under the disciplinary procedures of the Merchant Navy Establishment Scheme in 1968 and 1969, respectively; how many officers were involved; and what were the penalties imposed.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

The application of the disciplinary procedures of the Merchant Navy Established Service Scheme is an industrial matter which is dealt with by the British Shipping Federation in conjunction with the appropriate seafarers organisation. The federation, which manages the scheme, has undertaken to furnish the required information.

Mr. Homer

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many merchant seamen are registered with the Merchant Navy Established Service Scheme; and what proportion this number represents of the total number of men on the register of the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

I understand that the number of merchant seamen registered under the scheme as at 31st December, 1969 was approximately 85,000. This represents about 86 per cent. of those on the register of the Registrar General at that date.

Mr. Homer

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many accidents to seamen in United Kingdom registered ships were reported in 1969; how many of these were known to have occurred while the seamen concerned were off duty; and how many were fatal accidents.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

The limited information available about accidents to seamen is set out in the following table:

ACCIDENTS—1969
Merchant seamen Fatal Non-fatal
From casualty to vessel 12 Not known
Personal accidents 58 (including 44 off duty) Not known
Fishermen Fatal Non-fatal
From casualty to vessel 11 Nil
Personal accidents 19 (including 4 off duty) 1071
TOTALS 100 1071 (fishermen)

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