§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reasons Her Majesty's Government have withdrawn support for the specialist maritime conference of the International Labour Organisation; what representations he has received from ship-owning or crew representative bodies in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeI have been asked to reply.
At the recent meeting of the International Labour Organisation governing body, the Government expressed the view that maritime issues should be dealt within the mainstream of the ILO and on an equal footing with other sectors of work. The majority view was however to retain a separate maritime conference. Representations were received from the National Union of Marine, Aviation and Shipping Transport Officers.