Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

National Lost Trawlermen’s Memorial Day

13 December 2021 · 2 other contributors

Opened by Karl Turner Lab Kingston upon Hull East

Agriculture & Rural Affairs

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Karl Turner raised concerns about national lost trawlermen’s memorial day in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • MP Karl Turner highlighted the annual commemoration of lost trawlermen in Hull and advocated for a national Lost Trawlermen's Day to honour their sacrifices and contributions.
  • The MP emphasised the dangerous nature of fishing and the crucial role of fishermen during World War I and II.
  • Minister Robert Courts acknowledged the importance of recognising the sacrifices of trawlermen and praised the safety improvements brought about by the headscarf revolutionaries post-1968.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Karl Turner Lab Kingston upon Hull East

The MP Karl Turner highlighted the annual commemoration of lost trawlermen in Hull, noting its significance and history. He emphasised that fishing was dangerous and historically tied to both peace and war efforts, with fishermen playing crucial roles during World War I and II. Turner also discussed the 'headscarf revolutionaries' who fought for safety improvements post-tragedies such as the triple trawler tragedy in 1968. He advocated for a national Lost Trawlermen's Day to officially commemorate these sacrifices and contributions, stressing its importance beyond Hull to all fishing communities across the UK.

Other contributors (2)
  • Robin Millar

    The hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull East was congratulated on his debate, acknowledging the bravery of trawlermen and highlighting a recent tragedy involving the fishing vessel Nicola Faith.

  • Lia Nici Lab Great Grimsby

    Lia Nici added her condolences to those who lost loved ones in fishing tragedies, citing Winston Churchill’s recognition of fishermen's hard work and dedication.

Government Response

Robert Courts

Minister Robert Courts acknowledged the importance of recognising the sacrifices made by trawlermen. He noted the high fatalities among Hull’s fishing community over a century, emphasising the need to honour their service in peace and war times. The Minister praised the headscarf revolutionaries’ work post-1968 triple trawler tragedy for safety improvements. While fatalities have significantly reduced from 60 annually in the 1960s to an average of six recently due to enhanced safety measures, Courts stressed that more needed to be done to protect those still working in this dangerous industry today. The Minister agreed to explore further a national memorial day and committed efforts towards eliminating preventable fatalities by 2027 through improved risk assessments, vessel stability requirements, personal flotation devices, and training initiatives.

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