Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what representations he has received on the situation of the passengers of the cargo ship Sunflower E during its detention in Newport.

The cargo ship Sunflower E was arrested by the Admiralty Marshal (an employee of Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service) pursuant to an arrest warrant issued in the Admiralty Court and is subject to ongoing court proceedings in the High Court. It has been under arrest since 10^th March. I can confirm that the crew were repatriated on the 29 June by the International Transport Workers Federation. Whilst the crew were on board, the Admiralty Marshal ensured that they were provided with provision such as food, water and fuel throughout the period of detention of the vessel. The crew were free to leave the vessel at any point.

The vessel will remain under arrest until the vessel is sold or released by the Claimants.