HC Deb 10 March 1919 vol 113 cc865-6
47. Lieutenant-Colonel Sir F. HALL

asked the Prime Minister whether any assurance as to the ownership of her vessels had been given to Germany; and if he will give the figures of the total tonnage of enemy merchant vessels in British hands, the tonnage of British merchant vessels sunk by enemy action, and the tonnage of British shipping at present in enemy possession?

Colonel L. WILSON

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Enemy steam vessels of 500 grosstons and over still afloat, excluding condemned vessels sold to foreign countries, are as follows:

Gross tonnage.
Detained 216,709
Condemned 150,836
Awaiting adjudication 10,565
378,110

Merchant vessels of all sizes under the British flag sunk by enemy action amount to 7,759,155 tons gross. This total includes approximately 175,000 tons gross of enemy vessels 90,000 of which were condemned. Two British vessels amounting to 4,058 gross tons are still in enemy possession.

Colonel LOWTHER

Did not the original Armistice terms apply to the surrender of German ships?

Colonel WILSON

The surrender of the German ships is now under consideration in Paris.