To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of the Seafarers Identity Documents Convention of the International Labour Organisation in the United Kingdom, with particular reference to the development of an identity card scheme. (115692)

The United Kingdom is a party to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention of 1958 (ILO 108). Seafarer Identity Documents (SIDs) issued under this Convention have been issued to British seafarers for many years. ILO SIDs held by nationals of other party states are accepted by the United Kingdom Immigration Service for shore leave and transit purposes.

SIDs issued under this convention are issued solely for the purpose of facilitating shore leave and transit of seafarers in connection with seafaring activities and, as such, serve a different purpose to national identity cards. The ID cards scheme is intended for those legally resident or working in the UK for a specified period (likely to be three months) or longer.

The United Kingdom is currently evaluating, with other relevant stakeholders, the practicalities of ILO Convention 185.