asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now accept and implement the recommendation of the Rochdale Committee of Inquiry into Shipping on manning of British register home trade and foreign going vessels and their inspection.

These recommendations have alrealy been accepted in principle. They will be taken fully into account in our consultations with the shipping industry in formulating regulations to govern safe manning and certification which the Government intend to make under the provisions of Section 43 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1970.