Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will have discussions with the Secretary of State for Defence on the application of merchant shipping legislation for civilian seafarers (a) in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and (b) working on MoD contracts.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency officials meet regularly with Ministry of Defence counterparts to discuss the application of merchant shipping legislation to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and other MoD shipping on non-commercial service. This relationship is set out in a memorandum of understanding between the MoD and MCA, a copy of which will be placed in the Library of the House.