NATIONAL INSURANCE RULES FOR SEAFARERS

Early day motion 1663, tabled 10 September 2003 by Doug Naysmith (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 71 members.

That this House recognises the importance of British merchant shipping and maritime employment; welcomes the revival of the fleet and the increase in cadet recruitment over recent years; believes that more work needs to be done to improve future employment prospects for British officers and ratings; encourages employers, trade unions and the Government to continue to work actively to achieve that objective; and calls on the Government to reconsider its announced changes to the rules on national insurance contributions relating to seafarers in UK territorial waters, which will damage UK seafarer employment and the competitiveness of the British fleet.

Signatures by party: Labour 41, Conservative 12, Liberal Democrat 10, Labour/Co-operative 4, DUP 2, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Plaid Cymru 1.