Written question asked by Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 10 January 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 January 2005. It was answered by David Jamieson (Labour) on Monday, 17 January 2005 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Government is taking to widen the existing link between tonnage tax and seafarer employment to include a requirement to employ junior officers; if he will make a statement on the work being undertaken by the Shipping Task Force on employment in the UK fleet.

Answer: Mr. Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps the Government are taking to widen the existing link between tonnage tax and seafarer employment to include a requirement to employ junior officers; [207996] (2) if he will make a statement on the work being undertaken by the Shipping Task Force on employment in the UK fleet. [207997] Mr. Jamieson: I have recently approved new terms of reference for the Shipping Task Force so that work to develop proposals for improving the employment environment can be taken forward by a specially constituted sub-group of this body. This will include consideration of representations made to the post- implementation review of tonnage tax. I have asked the sub-group to submit initial proposals on ways to improve the employment environment, agreed by all parties, by June 2005.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 429 c675W;429 c673W; 207996;207997
Session: 2004-05
Subjects: Crew Employment Staff Merchant shipping Shipping Tonnage tax Shipping Task Force
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk