TRAINING FOR UK SEAFARERS

That this House notes that 90 per cent. of UK trade passes through UK ports; believes it is essential for the future security and economic well-being of the nation for the UK to retain a strong maritime skills base; is therefore alarmed by the near 60 per cent. fall over 30 years in the number of UK seafarers and that a deficit in UK officers and ratings will exist by the end of the decade unless current rates of training and recruitment for UK seafarers are dramatically increased; welcomes the President of the Chamber of Shipping's call on the Government to consider using the training commitment in the tonnage tax to increase the annual number of UK ratings being trained; further notes that since the introduction of the tonnage tax in 2000-01, qualifying shipping companies have enjoyed a total tax break of approximately £800 million but have completely ignored the voluntary link to providing training for UK ratings; and calls upon the Government to protect the national maritime skills base by promoting policies which increase training and employment rates amongst UK ratings, including extending the madatory link between the tonnage tax and training that applies to officers so that it also applies to ratings.