Merchant Shipping (Homosexual Conduct) Act 2017

The Merchant Shipping Act 2017 is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The act repealed parts of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 that allowed homosexual acts to be grounds for dismissal from the crew of merchant ships.

Background

The Sexual Offences Act 1967 did not apply to the merchant navy.

Passage

It was introduced to Parliament as a private members bill by John Glen and Baroness Scott of Bybook.
During the passage of the legislation, the Conservative MP, Christopher Chope suggested that the repeal should be retrospective which would have quashed convictions.

Through the Commons

The Bill had its first reading in the House of Commons on 29 June 2016 and its second reading on 20 January 2017. The committee stage started on 8 February and the committee reported on 24 March. The Bill passed its third reading the same day with no amendments.

Through the Lords and royal assent

The Bill had its first reading on 27 March 2017 and its second reading on 6 April. The order of commitment was discharged and so the Bill had no committee stage in the Lords. The Bill passed its third reading on 27 of April and gained royal assent the same day.

Provisions

The act repeals sections 146 and 147 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 which allowed conduct deemed homosexual as grounds for dismissal from the crew of a merchant ship.