Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the answer by the Foreign Secretary on 11 May (HC Deb, col 13), what is the “outstanding issue” referred to which is preventing the repatriation of UK citizens who are crew members stranded around the world on cruise ships.

The "outstanding issue" mentioned was not intended to refer to any particular obstacle preventing the repatriation of British crew members, but was a reference to the fact that although no British national passengers remain on any cruise ships, we continue to work on the outstanding issue of supporting the return of British crew members. We are in direct contact with all of the main cruise ship operators, as well as with many crew members and their families. We will continue to support operators to ensure the welfare and safety of British crew. Our overseas missions are liaising closely with local authorities in an effort to facilitate disembarkation and ensure British crew can access flights home.