asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he has had any consultations with representatives of seafarers concerning the terms of reference, the operation of, and their possible representation on, the working party established under the auspices of the Shipping Defence Advisory Committee to review the design or equipment of merchant vessels likely to be required in any future emergency to carry out a role in support of naval or military forces or for self-defence.

The Shipping Defence Advisory Committee, formed in 1937, meets annually to discuss matters of mutual interest between Government Departments and the shipping industry. Membership is drawn from the Ministry of Defence, Department of Trade, Department of Transport, the General Council of British Shipping, British Shipbuilders and Lloyds of London Press Ltd. The working party has, in the traditional manner, drawn its membership from the Shipping Defence Advisory Committee to which it will report.

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish in the Official Report the names of the members of, and the organisations represented on, the working party established under the auspices of the Shipping Defence Advisory Committee to examine ways in which merchant vessels, likely to be required under present plans in any future emergency, might be designed, modified or equipped to fit them for a role in support of naval or military forces or for self-defence.

The organisations represented on the working party are the Ministry of Defence, Department of Trade, Department of Transport and the General Council of British Shipping. These organisations are also represented on the Shipping Defence Advisory Committee. It is not the custom to publish the names of individuals on such working parties.