To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to enforce the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011 in the shipping industry; and which regulatory body is responsible for such enforcement on (a) UK and (b) overseas-flagged vessels in UK ports.

A contravention of the Equality Act 2010 (Work on Ships and Hovercraft) Regulations 2011 can be notified either to the port state authorities or directly to the appropriate enforcement team. For example, a breach of national minimum wage regulations could be reported directly to the HMRC Enforcement Team or gender discrimination could be reported to the Equal Opportunities Commission.

Enforcement action for a contravention occurring where the regulations are applicable on UK-flagged vessels would be undertaken by the relevant enforcement team (as per above) for that infringement.

Enforcement action for a contravention on board a foreign-flagged vessel, which while more complex in its application would similarly be undertaken where the regulations are applicable to either that vessel or an individual concerned.