§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether seafarers convicted while at sea for merchant shipping offences, and whose fines are consequently paid by shipping companies where such an offence is considered minor, will have a right of appeal against criminal record where future livelihood may be at stake.
§ Mr. David Mitchell[holding answer 6 November 1987]: Offences committed against the Merchant Shipping Acts are treated by the courts in the same manner as all other crimes of whatever magnitude and the rights of appeal against conviction are the same.