Extract from second reading (Commons) of the Merchant Shipping (Homosexual Conduct) Bill (private bill) - Jan 20
Sunday, 22 January 2017 10:07
Wendy Morton (Aldridge-Brownhills) (Con): ...Turning to more recent
times, some of us will remember the Falklands war in 1982
and the merchant ship the Atlantic Conveyor, which sank while under
tow after being hit by two Exocet missiles. The ship, which was
registered in Liverpool and built by Swan Hunter, was requisitioned
during the Falklands war. The wreck site is designated
under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. Twelve men died
and the ship’s master,...Request free
trial
(Aldridge-Brownhills)
(Con): ...Turning to more recent times, some of us will
remember the Falklands war in 1982 and the
merchant ship the Atlantic Conveyor, which sank while under tow
after being hit by two Exocet missiles. The ship, which was
registered in Liverpool and built by Swan Hunter, was requisitioned
during the Falklands war. The wreck site is
designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.
Twelve men died and the ship’s master, Captain Ian North, was
posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. The Atlantic
Conveyor was the first British merchant vessel lost at sea to enemy
fire since world war two. Again, that shows the importance of the
merchant navy. It is really important that we do all we can to
ensure the safe passage of the Bill through this place, so that
members of the merchant navy are put on an equal footing to those
of the Royal Navy...
...The evidence shows that as many as 1,000 gay men serving in the
merchant navy supported the British effort in the Falklands war. That is no insignificant
number of individuals who gave their time to serve our country. Is
it not incumbent on us to support the Bill and give them something
back, whether that is symbolic or something deeper? I spoke earlier
about the Falklands war, so I will not dwell on it
further, except to say that the Bill will give us the opportunity
to put the Royal Navy and the merchant navy on an equal footing in
relation to homosexuality...
To read the whole debate, CLICK
HERE
|
