§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of of State for Trade what obligations there are on owners of North Sea supply boats regarding the nationality of the seamen they employ.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe master, chief officer, chief engineer and radio officer of every merchant ship registered in the United Kingdom are required to be of British nationality. There are no statutory nationality requirements covering other members of the crew but in respect of ships owned by members of the General Council of British Shipping the employment of foreign crews is regulated through industrial agreements with the National Union of Seamen. Some North Sea supply ships owned by non-members of the Council are not subject to these agreements nor do they apply to ships not registered in the United Kingdom.