ANNUAL MERCHANT NAVY DAY

Early day motion 1399, tabled 8 June 1998 by Lawrie Quinn (Labour). Signed by 80 members.

That this House welcomes the Merchant Navy Association's campaign for the recognition and establishment of an official Merchant Navy Day in the United Kingdom; believes that it would be appropriate to commemorate the service of past and present seafarers on 3rd September each year, as the day on which British merchant seamen became the first casualties of World War II and as such symbolising the many sacrifices made by those who contributed to the security and prosperity of this island nation; and urges Her Majesty's Government to give early consideration to these proposals, which honour a significant historic contribution and would focus attention on the urgent need to rebuild a strategically importance British merchant fleet.

Signatures by party: Labour 51, Liberal Democrat 14, Conservative 10, Labour/Co-operative 3, UUP 1, Unknown 1.