§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to seek powers to implement the Rochdale Inquiry recommendation that there should be a statutory code of regulations for safety on board British ships.
§ Mr. OnslowPowers to make regulations exist in Section 19 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1970. The Code of Safe Practices for Merchant Seamen mentioned in paragraph 1464 of the Rochdale Report was issued on a voluntary basis in June 1970 and was to be reviewed after a trial period. All sides of the shipping industry are shortly to be invited to take part in this review after which I will consider the extent to which statutory regulations should be made.