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Merchant Shipping

Volume 897: debated on Thursday 7 August 1975

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asked the Secretary of State for Trade when he intends to take necessary powers to enable such incidents as the release of arsine gas on board the "Asiafreighter" to be the subject of a formal investigation under the Merchant Shipping Acts; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) when the Government intend to ratify the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea held in London in 1974; and if he will make a statement; (2) if he has any plans to introduce legislation to deal with the loading of bulk cargoes in United Kingdom ports; (3) when he intends to ratify the Convention on Civil Liability in the Field of Maritime Carriage of Nuclear Materials 1971 and also to introduce regulations for the control of nuclear-powered ships.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) when he intends to remove the anomaly of a statutory limitation on the amount of damages a ship owner can be liable to pay on injury or death of a member of the crew.(2) if he will make a statement to indicate when he expects to introduce legislation relating to the modernisation of the procedures for inquiries into the fitness and conduct of seafarers.

I intend taking action on all these matters when powers are available. The Government are desirous of seeking such powers and will endeavour to introduce the necessary legislation as soon as possible.