HC Deb 29 June 1987 vol 118 cc35-6W
37 Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will specify the measures which the Government intend to introduce to assist the merchant shipping industry.

Mr. David Mitchell

A merchant shipping Bill will he introduced which will seek to implement three proposals. These are: assistance with industry's training costs, and with travel costs incurred in crew changeovers in distant waters, and the establishment of a Merchant Navy Reserve. These measures will help ensure the availability of trained British seafarers in n emergency. In the interests of maritime safety, the Bill will also revise the law on ship registration, including categorisation of the shipping registers of the dependent territories.