That this House takes note of the Merchant Shipping Act 1970 (Commencement No. 12) Order 1995 (S.I., 1995, No. 1426), dated 1st June 1995.

That this House takes note of the Merchant Shipping Act 1970 (Commencement No. 12) Order 1995 (S.I., 1995, No. 1426), dated 1st June 1995.

That this House welcomes the news that the International Transport Workers' Federation has set sail in search of the MV 'Derbyshire' with the departure of the Japanese survey vessel 'Shin Kai Maru' with its sophisticated dual frequency deep ocean side scan sonar search system; and awaits further progress reports from ITN's Channel Four Home Affairs Unit.

That this House welcomes the news that the International Transport Workers' Federation has set sail in search of the MV 'Derbyshire' with the departure of the Japanese survey vessel 'Shin Kai Maru' with its sophisticated dual frequency deep ocean side scan sonar search system; and awaits further progress reports from...

That this House is alarmed by the continuing decline in the British Merchant Fleet which, if not reversed, will damage the United Kingdom economy and threaten defence; notes with concern the decline in officer cadet training and recruitment; calls upon Her Majesty's Government to encourage the employment of British seafarers, and renewal and expansion of the Merchant Fleet by introducing in the next budget, (a) 100 per cent. ship allowance for depreciation and extended rollover relief for the sale and purchase of ships, (b) income tax and national insurance contribution alleviation for each British seafarer employed and (c) a package of incentives which will remove the disadvantages suffered by the British shipping industry when comparison is made with incentives in most European countries, until such time as steps towards harmonisation in all European countries of state aids to the shipping industry commences, and to establish maritime enterprise zones in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

That this House is alarmed by the continuing decline in the British Merchant Fleet which, if not reversed, will damage the United Kingdom economy and threaten defence; notes with concern the decline in officer cadet training and recruitment; calls upon Her Majesty's Government to encourage the employment of British seafarers,...

That this House recognises with sadness and anger that the latest transfers to flags of convenience by British shipowners, Andrew Weir and Blue Star, will take the number of United Kingdom-registered ships over 500 gross registered tons to under 300 for the first time since records were kept; regrets the loss of still more jobs for British officers and ratings; condemns the flagrant disregard for national interest inherent in the run-down of the Merchant Navy; recalls with respect the service given to this country, in times of peace and war, by a great industry which the Tories have now decided is dispensable; and looks forward to the election of a government which will act to defend and expand upon the pitifully small number of Red Ensigns which the Tory brand of patriotism has allowed to survive on the seaways of the world.

That this House recognises with sadness and anger that the latest transfers to flags of convenience by British shipowners, Andrew Weir and Blue Star, will take the number of United Kingdom-registered ships over 500 gross registered tons to under 300 for the first time since records were kept; regrets the...

That this House condemns the continuing failure of Her Majesty's Government to take action to safeguard the existence of a United Kingdom-registered merchant fleet; regrets the continuing trend among British shipowners towards flagging out to bolt-holes of convenience which allow them to avoid British taxation, crewing standards and conditions of safety; notes with dismay that the new President of the Chamber of Shipping (formerly the General Council of British Shipping) is also Chairman of a company which has just transferred two vessels to the Bahamian flag of convenience, hauling down the Red Duster and taking on crews of Polish officers and ratings; acknowledges the statements by the company, F. W. Everard, that it does not wish to behave in this way but is persuaded to do so by the total lack of interest on the part of the present Government in maintaining a United Kingdom-registered fleet; and believes that the virtual destruction of the British-registered merchant fleet, through policies designed to encourage maximisation of profit at the expense of all other interests will be regarded in retrospect as one of the greatest crimes perpetrated against this country by Her Majesty's Government during the years from 1979 to 1992.

That this House condemns the continuing failure of Her Majesty's Government to take action to safeguard the existence of a United Kingdom-registered merchant fleet; regrets the continuing trend among British shipowners towards flagging out to bolt-holes of convenience which allow them to avoid British taxation, crewing standards and conditions of...

That this House calls upon the Secretary of State for Transport to open an inquiry into the sinking of the MV 'Derbyshire' in the light of new evidence on hull stressing and fatigue in large bulk carriers contained in a report presented by Professors Bishop, Price and Temarel of Brunel University to the Royal Institute of Naval Architects, the new evidence obtained by Tyne Tees Television in an underwater film on the wreckage of the 'Kowloon Bridge', the sister ship of the MV 'Derbyshire' and the petition presented by the honourable Member for Liverpool, Garston to the House on 14th December, signed by 70,000 people, urging the Secretary of State to put at rest the minds of the bereaved families of the crew by initiating an urgent inquiry.

That this House calls upon the Secretary of State for Transport to open an inquiry into the sinking of the MV 'Derbyshire' in the light of new evidence on hull stressing and fatigue in large bulk carriers contained in a report presented by Professors Bishop, Price and Temarel of Brunel...