SEAFARERS AND THE RACE RELATIONS ACT

Early day motion 272, tabled 3 December 2002 by Diane Abbott (Labour). Signed by 111 members.

That this House believes that all workers employed in a British workplace are entitled to be protected by the provisions of the Race Relations Act; notes with concern, however, that seafarers working on United Kingdom flagged ships and United Kingdom waters are currently excluded from the provisions of the Race Relations Act; believes that such discrimination is morally indefensible in the 21st Century and therefore welcomes the proposals contained in the Home Office consultation document 'Equality and Diversity The Way Ahead' to include seafarers in the provisions of the Act; congratulates the Government on this initiative; and urges the Government, shipping industry and maritime unions to work together to ensure that the provisions of the Act are enforced as widely and effectively as possible in the maritime sector.

Signatures by party: Labour 87, Labour/Co-operative 12, Liberal Democrat 8, Plaid Cymru 2, Conservative 1, UUP 1.