§ Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to ensure that the Government's maritime policy will encourage the shipping industry to register more ships in Britain. [74819]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonOne of the stated aims of the Government's shipping policy is to encourage UK ship registration, to increase ship owners' identification with the UK, to improve our regulatory control of shipping using UK ports and waters and to help maintain the availability of assets and personnel that may be needed in time of war. The Government's shipping policy paper "British Shipping: Charting a new course" sets out a number of actions designed to develop a shipping environment in which shipping companies will be encouraged to register in the UK.