§ Mr. Viggersasked the Minister for Trade what steps he is taking to introduce exemptions from the requirement for United Kingdom merchant ships to carry wireless telegraphy equipment and radio officers.
§ Mr. SproatAs part of my continuing policy of seeking ways to increase the competitiveness of the British Merchant Navy by the reduction of cost burdens placed upon it, I have decided to change the present policy regarding wireless telegraphy equipment and radio officers. I have decided to grant exemption for a nine-month trial period, subject to certain conditions, in respect of seven dry cargo ships regularly engaged on the United Kingdom east coast trade and with occasional voyages to near continental ports.
These operations will be carefully monitored by my Department. If the level of safety and the performance of the additional equipment required is satisfactory, the trial period will be extended for a further period of twelve months and I shall be ready to consider similar exemptions for other comparable cargo vessels engaged in similar operations and on occasional voyages to Ireland.
My Department will continue to monitor these operations with a view to confirming the policy and to considering subsequent exemptions for similar cargo ships trading more generally in the near continental area, taking account of the development of communications equipment appropriate to the International Maritime Organisation's future global maritime distress and safety system.