HC Deb 23 July 1980 vol 989 cc223-5W
Mr. Neubert

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he has any evidence that local pilotage districts are using their powers under the Merchant Shipping Act to make byelaws in such a manner as to discriminate against sea captains of other European Economic Community countries by excluding ships of a certain size, or by other means; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tebbit

Three pilotage authorities have so far submitted draft byelaws to my Department which would impose an upper limit on the size of ships for which pilotage certificates are available. Such byelaws would apply equally to British and foreign masters and vessels. Pilotage

(2) if he will consider introducing a separate statistical heading for unfinished footwear by category and country of origin; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Parkinson

There are already seven separate headings against which trade in parts of footwear is recorded in the overseas trade statistics under SITC (R2) Sub-group 612.3. The weight and value of imports of assemblies of uppers—affixed to inner soles or other sole components, but without outer soles—including re-imports of articles of United Kingdom origin, were as follows:

byelaws have to be confirmed by the Secretary of State after he has considered any objections to them. No byelaws on these lines have yet been confirmed.

Mr. Neubert

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what discussions he has had or intends to have with the French pilotage authorities about their refusal to certificate new masters of British cross-Channel ferry operators; and what prospects he sees for the settlement of outstanding pilotage problems arising from the Merchant Shipping Act and previous legislation.

Mr. Tebbit

We keep in close touch with the French authorities about pilotage matters and would be willing to take up with them any specific items of concern.

The Merchant Shipping Act 1979 introduced major changes in all aspects of the organisation of pilotage in the United Kingdom and will facilitate the resolution of outstanding problems.

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