§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps his Department is taking to encourage nautical education; [113546]
(2) what recent representations he has received regarding the GCSE course and examination in nautical studies; [113548]
(3) what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues regarding the GCSE in nautical studies. [113577]
§ Mr. Hill[holding answer 8 March 2000]: The Government attach great importance to encouraging young people to consider a career at sea. DETR provides training support grants through the Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme, proposes to attach a minimum training obligation to the shipping tonnage tax, and 116W strongly supports the educational role played by the Merchant Navy Training Board as the National Training Organisation.
Following representation on behalf of the Hull Trinity House School and the London Nautical School, we are consulting colleagues in the Department for Education and Employment on how best to support nautical education, including GCSE Nautical Studies.