HC Deb 25 March 1981 vol 1 cc326-7W
Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for Trade to what extent Her Majesty's Government are responsible, including under international convention, for the prevention of deaths due to (a) accidents ashore, (b) accidents on board, (c) suicide, (d) homicide, (e) disease, and (f) disappearance at sea, respectively, among seafarers serving on British ships when in United Kingdom ports or when outside territorial waters.

Mr. Eyre

Her Majesty's Government have no responsibility for the prevention of accidents ashore outside the United Kingdom. The Government are responsible for measures which it is appropriate and practicable for it to take to reduce the incidence of deaths arising out of employment as a seafarer on a United Kingdom ship when it is in a United Kingdom port or territorial waters or when it is outside territorial waters. Indeed, my Department is currently working on a series of regulations designed to reduce accidents to seafarers at work.