THAMES BOATMASTERS

Early day motion 837, tabled 14 October 2010 by Baroness Hoey (Labour). Signed by 23 members.

That this House recognises the valuable work of skilled and experienced Thames boatmasters in ensuring safe travel on the Thames; acknowledges the crucial support they provide the economy, particularly the tourism industry, and transport in London; is concerned that this service to the capital and the livelihoods of boatmasters could be threatened by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency's proposal to hold compulsory re-tests of experienced boatmasters for operation of vessels between Margaretness and Putney; notes that no such testing or revalidation appears to be required in other inland waterways of the UK and is not a legal requirement; regards the proposal for re-tests as an overzealous interpretation of the law which risks penalising unfairly experienced boatmasters who do not have experience of formal, classroom-based examinations; supports both the highest possible safety standards and an experienced workforce on the Thames; and calls on the Government and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to engage constructively with the Thames boatmasters to reach a solution which preserves the existing skills and experience of boatmasters.

Signatures by party: Labour 11, Conservative 7, Liberal Democrat 3, DUP 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.