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The Committee notes the Government’s brief reply to its previous direct request.

Article 1(c) and (d) of the Convention. In its earlier comments, the Committee referred to sections 221 to 224 and 225(1)(b), (c) and (e) of the 1894 United Kingdom Merchant Shipping Act, under which certain breaches of labour discipline by seafarers not endangering the ship or the life or health of persons may be punished with imprisonment (involving an obligation to perform labour) and deserting seafarers may be forcibly returned to their ship to perform their duties.

The Committee previously noted that the draft Merchant Shipping Act dealing with Grenadian ships and vessels was introduced in Parliament but had not been proceeded in view of current efforts to codify a regional Merchant Shipping Code. It noted the Government’s repeated indication that efforts to codify a regional Merchant Shipping Code proceeded very slowly and that a new draft eventually had to be prepared. It also noted the Government’s statement in its 2000 report that the new draft was being studied and was to be submitted for parliamentary approval.

In its latest report, the Government repeats its previous indications concerning the slow process of elaboration of a regional Merchant Shipping Code and states that the bill has not been approved by Parliament.

The Committee trusts that the necessary measures will be taken in the near future in order to bring the legislation into conformity with the Convention and requests the Government to supply a copy of the new legislation, as soon as it is adopted.