§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to which countries' vessels Great Britain grants the restriction of jurisdiction of United Kingdom courts in certain matters as embodied in the 1970 Consular Relations (Merchant Shipping) Order No. 1908; and whether it is envisaged that this privilege is to be granted to any other countries' vessels.
§ Mr. OnslowI have been asked to reply.
Statutory orders containing provisions for limitation of jurisdiction regarding disputes concerning remuneration and contracts of service and for detention on board of a crew member which are in terms similar to those in Order No. 1908 —relating to Greek ships—have been made in respect of ships of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Federal Republic of Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Yugoslavia. The orders also contain additional provisions.
Orders in respect of ships of France and the United States of America provide only for detention of crew members on board. Orders in respect of ships of Bulgaria, Poland and Romania provide only for limitation of jurisdiction as regards disputes about remuneration and contracts of service.
Such orders make provision in our law for obligations undertaken by the United Kingdom in consular conventions with the countries concerned. Further orders will be made as and when consular conventions with other countries which provide for reciprocal treatment in these matters come into force.