Lloyd Pacifico (Hansard, 24 May 1994)

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how long and in what circumstances the Lloyd Pacifico has been arrested in the Port of Tilbury; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John M. Taylor
The Lloyd Pacifico was arrested at Tilbury by the Admiralty marshal on 16 April 1994. The action was instituted by the Admiralty court on behalf of Reparacoes Navais Do Tejo LDA of Portugal in respect of a claim against a sister ship of the Lloyd Pacifico, the Rio Negro, for alleged unpaid costs of repairs carried out between October and December 1993 in the sum of US$677,000.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many seamen and ship's officers remain in the Port of Tilbury as a consequence of the arrest of the Lloyd Pacifico.

Mr. John M. Taylor
Thirty officers and crew are presently aboard the Lloyd Pacifico.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the entitlement of seamen serving on the Lloyd Pacifico to payment of wages.

Mr. John M. Taylor
The seamen are entitled to the payment of wages. If they are not receiving them, they may make a claim against the vessel through the court. Should the vessel be sold by the Admiralty marshal, the crew will have a high priority against the proceeds of the sale. If an order for sale is made, it is usual for the crew to be repatriated.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what representations have been made to the Government of Brazil about their obligations as owners of the Lloyd Brasileiro shipping line to the creditors of that company.

Mr. John M. Taylor
The Admiralty court has no knowledge of any such representations to the Brazilian Government.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department under what powers the Lloyd Brasileiro shipping line vessel, the "Lloyd Pacifico", is being detained at the port of Tilbury.

Mr. John M. Taylor
The Lloyd Pacifico is detained at the port of Tilbury under sections 20 (2) and 21 (4) (ii) of the Supreme Court Act 1981.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what United Kingdom agencies have made contact with the seamen of the Lloyd Pacifico in order to ensure that their rights and welfare are protected.
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Mr. John M. Taylor
The Admiralty marshall is in frequent contact with the vessel's agents at Tilbury on various matters including the crew's welfare. He has also met members of the crew to assure them that food and other necessary supplies would be provided for their comfort.