§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list what type of training is available for ship owners who apply to the European Community crew training scheme; if it conforms to the International Maritime Organisation's criteria; how much funding is currently available; how ship owners can apply for these funds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisThe European Commissioner for Transport has put forward proposals for improving maritime safety and these include minimum standards of training for crews employed in ships registered within the Community and a suggestion that Community funds might be used to assist nautical training institutions and 469W EC shipowners who provide on-board training but these are still in a tentative form. These will be discussed in future meetings of the Council of Ministers.