SEAMEN'S REGISTRY BOARD (Expenses)

Mr Seah Peng Chuan asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether, before legislation for incorporating the Seamen's Registry Board was introduced, his Ministry had approached the employers' organisations in the shipping industry and the Seamen's Unions to set up a body for the registration and engagement of seamen to be operated by them at their own expense; and what was the result of such an approach.

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: The answer is "No". The Government brought together representatives of the seafarers and of the shipping companies in an Ad Hoc Committee which recommended that the Seamen's Registry Board should comprise representatives of Government, Shipowners and Seafarers in equal numbers with an independent Chairman and its working expenses should be financed by the Shipowners through a Selection Mr Fee, by the seamen through a small initial charge for the issue of their registration Book and by the Government through an annual grant. These recommendations have been accepted by Government and have been implemented.