§ Mr. Colvinasked the Minister for Trade what is his definition of a British ship for the purpose of implementing the provisions of the United Nations conference on trade and development liner code.
§ Dr. Vaughan[pursuant to his reply, 18 November 1982, c. 221]: The United Nations liner code defines a national shipping line of any given country as "a vessel — operating carrier which has its head office of management and its effective control in that country and is recognised as such by an appropriate authority of that country or under the law of that country". The definition applies to shipping lines rather than ships.
My right hon. and noble Friend is consulting the shipping industry before deciding whether United Kingdom law should add further conditions to those contained in the definition in the United Nations code. If he decides to do so, he will lay appropriate regulations before Parliament under the Merchant Shipping (Liner Conferences) Act 1982.