§ Sir David PriceTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 1988 relating to merchant ship registration are to be brought into effect.
§ Mr. PortilloThe Merchant Shipping Act 1988 (Commencement Number 3) Order 1989, published today, brings part I of the 1988 Act fully into force in the United Kingdom on 1 April 1989. Part I modernises the system for registering British ships and strengthens the enforcement of safety requirements. Similar provisions are already in force or being introduced in the other British flag registries in Crown dependencies and dependent territories.