Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will provide support to British shipping companies operating in the North Sea to enable them to recruit and retain more British crew members.

With regard to the issue of retention of British crew members operating in the North Sea, I would refer the Hon Member to my answer of 25 April, UIN 34463 (http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&uin=34463).

The Department continues to provide support for the training of UK officers and ratings through the £15m Support for Maritime Training (SMarT) scheme.

Apprenticeships are at the heart of the Government’s drive to give people of all ages the skills employers need to grow and compete. Maritime is a key part of this with the Maritime Trailblazer which is employer led and has one approved standard for deck ratings and a further three in development for maritime mechanic, maritime caterer and onboard services.

We are also working to address the skills recommendations of the Maritime Growth Study, chaired by Lord Mountevans and published on 7 September 2015, including conducting a review of SMarT funding, better links into schools teaching and enlarging the awareness programme to encourage entry into the merchant navy.