HC Deb 06 May 1971 vol 816 cc431-3W
Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department accepts a Liberian certificate of navigational competence as sufficient evidence of experience for the automatic provision of an equivalent British certificate of navigational competence as Liberia does for a British certificate.

Mr. Anthony Grant

No.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Her Majesty's Government will call for an emergency meeting of the International Maritime Consultative Organisation and request it to study urgently the efficacy of Liberia's efforts to enforce internationally acceptable levels of safety standards and levels of navigational competence in respect of those officers and crews of ships under its flag.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The Government of Liberia, like a number of other Governments who are parties to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea 1960, entrust the inspection and survey of their ships as to compliance with the relevant safety requirements to recognised Classification Societies. Since this praotice is permitted under the Convention it would not be appropriate to request an emergency meeting of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation. There are at present no international requirements on the levels of navigational competence of officers and crews. This question is already being studied jointly by the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation and the International Labour Organisation. Her Majesty's Government are participating in this important task.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the enactments which lay down the fines and penalties for any owner or captain who allows a British vessel to sail with officers without the required certificate of navigational competence.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The requested list of enactments is as follows:

Merchant Shipping Act, 1894:

Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919:

  • Sections 5* and 13.

Merchant Shipping Act 1970:

  • Sections 43 and 45.

(NOTE.—The provisions and enactments marked with an asterisk will be repealed on the bringing into force of regulations to be made under Section 43 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1970.)

Mr. Prescott

State for Trade his Department asked the Secretary of and Industry what steps is taking to ensure that those British companies which register their vessels under the Liberian flag reach the standards in safety and welfare of British vessels.

Mr. Anthony Grant

No such steps are necessary because ships owned by British companies are required to be registered in accordance with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. Accordingly it would be an offence to register them under the Liberian flag.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department takes to warn those British seamen who sign on Liberian vessels of the effect on their safety and welfare.

Mr. Anthony Grant

Clear notices are displayed in each mercantile marine office, and customs offices which deal with merchant seamen, warning them of the problem of signing on any foreign flag vessel, and telling them to check the points listed and to consult their union or association.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if his Department recognises any period of sea service or instruction by anyone serving on a Liberian vessel as a qualifying period for a person applying for a British certificate of navigational competency.

Mr. Anthony Grant

Certificates of discharge for service on foreign ships, including Liberian, may be accepted as counting towards the qualifying sea service of applicants for the Department's certificates of competency as master or mate. Such certificates or other documentary evidence are carefully examined and each application is considered on its merits. No remission of the qualifying period of sea service is granted for courses of instruction carried out by, or on behalf of, foreign countries.