NAMING OF PIETER SCHELTE VESSEL

Early day motion 749, tabled 2 February 2015 by Grahame Morris (Labour). Signed by 21 members.

That this House notes that Shell UK Ltd has awarded the Swiss-based Allseas Group SA the contract for the removal, transportation and load-in to shore of the topsides of three of its Brent platforms that are situated on the UK Continental Shelf; further notes that Allseas will use its newest vessel the Pieter Schelte for the task; further notes that the vessel operates under a Panamanian flag of convenience and is named after the Company owner Edward Heerema's father who served as a Waffen SS officer and was jailed for war crimes at the end of the war; further notes that events were recently held throughout the UK to commemorate the Holocaust and crimes committed against humanity during the war; believes that communities throughout the UK will be outraged that a vessel named in honour of a Nazi officer is to be utilised in the North Sea; and calls on the UK and Scottish Governments to protest to Allseas Group SA and Shell UK Ltd with the demand that until such times as there is a change of name, this vessel does not operate.

Signatures by party: Labour 14, Liberal Democrat 5, DUP 1, Independent 1.