SEAFARERS' PAY

That this House acknowledges the excellent work done by seafarers, often in difficult conditions; notes with concern that HM Revenue and Customs has announced it is to introduce guidance in December 2008 which would restrict the application of the seafarers' earnings deduction to seafarers who work in the offshore oil and gas industry; is also deeply concerned that such a move would adversely affect thousands of seafarers many of whom work on low wages, and that the financial hardship will be compounded by the fact that the restriction will apply retrospectively from January 2008; is further concerned that the changes could undermine the Department for Transport's maritime policy objectives of increasing the employment and training of British seafarers; further notes that the changes are opposed by the maritime unions and the Chamber of Shipping; and calls on the Government to intervene urgently to reverse this decision.