68. Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the number and what is the aggregate tonnage of vessels which have been transferred from the British flag to foreign flags since the commencement of the War; and under what authority these transfers have been made?
§ Mr. PRETYMANThe number of British ships transferred to foreign flags during the first fifteen months of the War was 247, of 507,830 tons gross. All transfers effected after the passing of the British Ships (Transfer Restriction) Act in March last were subject to the approval of the Board of Trade and the Admiralty. The number of steamers of over 500 tons gross registered in the United Kingdom which have been sold foreign since the beginning of 1915 (omitting those sold to Allied Governments) is thirty-seven. There were special and sufficient reasons for sanctioning the transfer in each case.