§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrival in Glasgow of replacement crews for the Bulgarian ships currently in Lerwick harbour, the Afala, Aktinia, Kaprela, Ofelia and Rotalia.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerI have been asked to reply.
Under the immigration rules, people seeking entry to join a vessel as members of its crew are eligible for admission if they are under contract to join a ship due to leave British waters. If the immigration officer is so satisfied, he will give leave to enter. I see no need for any further investigation in this case.
§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he will take to ensure that Bulgarian ship owners observe immigration rules in respect of seafarers currently employed on board the Aktinia, Kaprela, Ofelia and Rotalia in Lerwick harbour.
§ Mr. Nicholas BakerI have been asked to reply.
Under the Immigration Act 1971, where a person arrives at a place in the United Kingdom as a member of the crew of a ship under an engagement requiring him to leave on that ship as a member of the crew, he may normally enter the United Kingdom without leave and remain until the departure of the ship. Checks will be made to ensure that crew members leave with their vessels, if they fail to do so action will be taken, as appropriate, to trace and remove them from the United Kingdom under powers in the 1971 Act.