Jen Craft

I thank everyone who has taken part in the debate. The 3 pm shift on a Thursday is not a great one, especially when we are low on numbers, so I am grateful to Members for being here. I offer my thanks to all those who go to sea. The hon. Member for Dumfries and Galloway (John Cooper) spoke eloquently about the call of the sea, but also its inherent dangers. My right hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) highlighted a specific example. The loss of James Elliott brings home the real dangers for those who make their living at sea and the debt of gratitude that we all owe them. My right hon. Friend also spoke about flags of convenience, which is a real problem and an issue when it comes to investigating crimes at sea. For example, sexual assault against female seafarers is on the increase, but women often fail to find the justice they need. Perhaps that is something we can pursue. I thank my neighbouring MP, my hon. Friend the Member for Gravesham (Dr Sullivan)—we are separated by only a body of water—for raising the work of the RNLI. I am incredibly grateful for the work that it does saving lives at sea. Without its vital voluntary contribution, I am sure the lives of many more who make their living at sea would have been lost. I welcome what the Minister said about looking at how we can promote the levy system and take it further. That is one thing that would make a real difference to onshore welfare provision for seafarers. The Minister also updated us on some of the work he has been doing internationally, particularly in looking at reducing the pay differential between UK-based seafarers and others. I look forward to working with him and colleagues to make sure that those who make their living on the sea, to whom we all owe a debt of gratitude, receive proper remuneration and thanks from the nation. Question put and agreed to. Resolved, That this House has considered seafarers’ welfare.