HC Deb 30 October 1989 vol 159 cc93-4W
Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated reduction in the number of seafarers in the first six months of the current year.

Mr. McLoughlin

The number of seafarers on the General Council of British Shipping register at 31 December 1988 and at 30 June 1989 was as follows:

Officers Ratings Cadets Total
31 December 1988 9,322 12,860 447 22,629
30 June 1989 8,989 12,593 411 21,993
Per cent, reduction -3.6 -2.1 -8.1 -2.8