This Order, which is made pursuant to the Consular Relations Act 1968, provides, in relation to ships (other than ships of war) of the Italian Republic,

(i)for limiting the jurisdiction of the courts of the United Kingdom to entertain proceedings relating to the remuneration or any contract of service of the master or a member of the crew;

(ii)for limiting the jurisdiction of such courts over offences committed on board by the master or a member of the crew;

(iii)for the detention on board of a member of the crew for a disciplinary offence to be treated as not unlawful except in certain cases.

It gives effect to the relevant provisions of the Consular Convention between the United Kingdom and the Italian Republic which was signed at Rome on 1st June 1954 (Cmnd. 1135).