P&O JOB LOSSES

Early day motion 1715, tabled 12 October 2004 by Gwyn Prosser (Labour). Signed by 73 members.

That this House is deeply concerned at the recent announcement by P&O that they intend to dismiss 1,200 UK seafarers; notes that many of those who will be left will be faced with cuts in pay and conditions; regrets that this will cause much hardship for many families especially within the communities of Dover, Portsmouth and Hull; regards this as a massive blow to the UK shipping industry; further notes that the number of UK seafarers continues to decline despite the UK shipping industry benefiting from a very significant tonnage tax concession worth ú35m per year; further notes that the French Government provide support for Sea France and Brittany Ferries; and calls on the UK Government to intervene with the appropriate parties to ensure that the ferry industry in the UK has a long-term future.

Signatures by party: Labour 63, DUP 3, Liberal Democrat 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, UUP 2.