§ Mr. Ivan HendersonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to publish his shipping policy paper. [64267]
§ Mr. PrescottI have today published the Government's shipping policy paper "British Shipping: Charting a new course" and I am arranging for copies to be placed in the Library of both Houses.
The policy document sets out a long-term, integrated strategy for British shipping in partnership between Government and the shipping industry, including the trade unions. Drawing on the report of the Shipping Working Group which I set up late last year, the paper sets out 33 inter-related actions designed to develop the UK's maritime skills; secure British seafaring employment; enhance the UK's attractiveness to shipping enterprises; and gain safety and environmental benefits.