§ Mr. SproatTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list the regulatory requirements currently laid upon the British Merchant Navy which he is currently examining with a view to their possible removal or easing;
(2) if he will list the regulatory requirements laid upon the British Merchant Navy which have been removed or eased in each year, respectively, for the last 20 years.
§ Mr. NorrisWe are committed to reducing the regulatory burden on the shipping industry as far as is compatible with continued high safety standards. This is a continuous process. Recent achievements include the408W introduction of new type approval arrangements to facilitate the entry of vessels into the United Kingdom register. We are also currently reviewing the rules which govern the nationality of senior officers on British merchant vessels.