HC Deb 01 December 1986 vol 106 c509W
Mr. Sayeed

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of British merchant seafarers no longer serving at sea who would be available for such service in time of emergency; and what estimate he has made of the number likely to be available in the 1990s.

Mr. Michael Spicer

Urgent consideration is being given to the question of the availability of British seafarers, both currently serving and also no longer at sea, in the context of planning for the use of the merchant fleet in emergency or war.