§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what organisations and trade unions were consulted before he decided to delegate responsibilities for certain statutory surveys to Lloyd's Register of Shipping;
(2) why he did not consult the British Seafarers' Joint Council during the framing of his legislation dealing with the hiving off of some statutory marine surveys 9W from his Department to Lloyd's Register of Shipping.
§ Mr. OnslowThe proposal to delegate further survey functions were formulated by professional officers of my Department and of Lloyd's Register of Shipping reporting to a steering committee on which these two bodies and the Chamber of Shipping were represented. Subsequently, before the legislation was drafted, the Institution of Professional Civil Servants and the following members of the British Seafarers' Joint Council were informed of the proposals.
- The Mercantile Marine Service Association.
- Amalgamated Union of Engineering and Foundry Workers.
- Merchant Navy and Airline Officers' Association.
- Radio and Electronic Officers' Union.
- National Union of Seamen.