§ 12. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the President of the Board of Trade the total number of British merchant ships, excluding tankers, available in 1914 for the carriage of food, raw materials and men; and the corresponding number at present?
§ Mr. StanleyAccording to the best estimates that can be made, vessels of 1000 tons gross and over registered in the United Kingdom, excluding sailing ships, tankers and non-trading ships, numbered in 1914, 4,282 vessels of 16,812,000 tons gross and in 1938, 2,659 vessels of 13,729,000 tons gross.
Mr. StewartDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that this country regards the 1518 falling off as extremely grave? Can he indicate whether the Government are taking any steps now to meet the demands of the situation?
§ Mr. StanleyYes, Sir. I answered a question on this very point a week ago, and I told the House that, with regard to the shipping industry, I was awaiting a report from them which I hoped to receive soon, and that I was in communication at the same time with the shipbuilding industry to see what could be done.
§ Mr. GallacherWould there not be many more ships available for carrying food if it had not been for the activities of the Italian bombers?
§ Mr. H. G. WilliamsIs this decline in numbers and tonnage compensated by higher average speeds?
§ Mr. StanleyYes, certainly, arid, of course, by greater unloading facilities.
§ Mr. Robert GibsonHow many ships were laid up on these dates, in particular on the Clyde?
§ Mr. StanleyI must have notice of that question.