HC Deb 19 May 1977 vol 932 cc268-9W
Mr. James Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what action has been taken to implement the recommendation of the Rochdale Committee of Inquiry into Shipping, that guidelines should be issued to the British shipping industry on adequate safe manning of merchant ships.

Mr. Clinton Davis

I am glad to say that both sides of the industry have agreed on a statement of principles which is being publishd today by the Department of Trade and that the Department is offering an entirely new service to industry whereby, at the request of the owners, it will issue Safe Deck Manning Certificates to individual ships, stating the minimum deck crew which, in the opinion of the Department, is required for safety purposes.