§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints have been made(a) in each of the past three years an (b) so far this year (i) by his Department and (ii) by the contractor at the relevant time in respect of the operation of the Small Ships Register.
§ Mr. NorrisI am not aware of any complaint about the day-to-day running of the register.
§ Mr. MichaelTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the importance of the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen to modern historians of British and Commonwealth merchant shipping and seamen.
§ Mr. NorrisMy right hon. Friend is aware that the services of the registry are valued by modern historians undertaking research, some of whom have written letters of support for the registry. We will want to ensure that the registry continues to provide this service following the market testing.