Oral Answers to Questions

Alistair Carmichael Excerpts
Thursday 2nd July 2020

(4 years, 5 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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Sounds like Harry Potter, doesn’t it?

Alistair Carmichael Portrait Mr Alistair Carmichael (Orkney and Shetland) (LD)
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What steps he is taking to protect the rights of UK seafarers during the covid-19 pandemic.

Kelly Tolhurst Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Kelly Tolhurst)
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We recognise our international obligations, our borders remain open to seafarers, and we are enforcing their rights under the maritime labour convention.

Alistair Carmichael Portrait Mr Carmichael
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Some 400,000 sailors around the world are stranded as a result of covid restrictions. That requires international action and our country needs to take a lead. Will the Minister do that?

Kelly Tolhurst Portrait Kelly Tolhurst
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I very much thank the right hon. Gentleman for his question. I happen to be able to inform him that next week I will be holding an international summit with a particular focus on crew change and how we can do our best for seafarers internationally.