§ Mr. SproatTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the main financial and other advantages to the owners of beneficially(a) British owned and (b) non-British owned vessels of registering in the United Kingdom register, as opposed to the registers of the Crown 643W dependencies, of registering in Crown dependencies as opposed to the United Kingdom register, of the Crown dependencies registers as opposed to the British dependent territories registers, of the British dependent territories registers as opposed to the Crown dependencies registers, of the United Kingdom register as opposed to British dependent territories registers, and of the British dependent territories register as opposed to the United Kingdom register.
§ Mr. NorrisThe advantages which shipowners receive from any particular register will depend to a great extent upon the individual circumstances under which each shipowner is operating.
The United Kingdom aims to ensure that all British shipping registers are operated under similar rules and conditions and, in particular, that all comply with proper safety standards. The advantage of high-quality operation, plus access to British consular services and protection form the Royal Navy, apply to vessels registered on any British register.
Within this framework, the dependent territories and Crown dependencies are largely free to make such fiscal arrangements as they consider appropriate in relation either to companies generally or specifically to companies operating vessels on their registers.
§ Mr. SproatTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what comparative examination he has made of the British tax regime as it affects(a) the Merchant Navy and (b) seafarers relative to the tax regimes of (i) France, (ii) Germany, (iii) Greece, (iv) Norway and (v) Denmark; if he will list the main differences; and what conclusion he has reached as to, respectively, the advantages and disadvantages to the British Merchant Navy of each difference;
(2) what latest comparative examination he has made of the requirements and the consequences of merchant ships registered in the (a) French, (b) German, (c) Greek, (d) Norwegian and (e) Danish registers as opposed to the United Kingdom register; if he will list the main economic and other differences for merchant ships in both requirements and consequences; and if he will list the main economic and other advantages and disadvantages in each case.
§ Mr. NorrisWe monitor the different forms of direct and indirect subsidies granted by other countries and it is our policy in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and EC to press for the removal of any forms of subsidy which have the effect of distorting competition.
§ Mr. SproatTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the continuing reduction in the number of vessels on the British register; and what further action he has in mind to increase the size of the British Merchant Navy.
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 13 July 1992]: My Department is constantly monitoring the state of the British shipping industry and, in close liaison with the industry itself, is prepared to consider any measure to encourage and facilitate registration in the United Kingdom which falls within its remit.
The Merchant Shipping (Registrations etc.) Bill which is to come before this House early in 1993 offers opportunities to simplify ship registration law and make provision for the registration of vessels on bareboat 644W charter. Subject to the precise provisions of this private Member's Bill, the Government will wholeheartedly support this important measure. My Department is also participating with the industry in a thorough review of the structure of United Kingdom maritime examinations and certificates of competency. In international fora, we continue to press strongly for the removal of subsidies, restrictions on trade, and poorly enforced safety standards, in order that British shipping is given greater opportunity to compete on a fair and equal basis.