TONNAGE TAX AND UK SEAFARERS' EMPLOYMENT

EDM number 200 in 2005-06, proposed by John McDonnell on 24/05/2005.

That this House is deeply concerned that the total number of UK seafaring ratings has declined from 30,000 ratings in 1980 to less than 10,000 in 2004; notes that the proportion of British officers is also declining and has fallen by more than 27 per cent. in the last three years; regrets that the decline has continued despite the Government's tonnage tax regime and the millions of pounds of public subsidy to ship owners; believes that the decline in UK seafarers cannot be allowed to continue if this country is to retain a core of essential maritime skills; welcomes the Transport Committee report which seeks more ambition from Government in ensuring wider benefits to the UK from the tonnage tax; believes that the UK Government must take responsibility for ensuring the tax delivers UK seafarers' skills; further welcomes the fact that the Government has set up a special working party to formulate measures to increase training and employment opportunities for UK ratings and officers; and urges the Government to ensure that this review leads to a tonnage tax employment and training link for ratings and officers.

This motion has been signed by a total of 93 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.