§ 49. Mr. NEWBOULDasked the Prime Minister the number of German merchant ships which have been sold, the aggregate amount realised, and the price received per ton?
§ Colonel L. WILSONI have been asked to reply. The sale of the ex-German ships is in the hands of the Reparation Commission, which is representative of all the Allies. I am informed, however, as has been stated in the Press, that the Reparation Commission has disposed of 48 ex-German ships for £4,786,975. This price works out at a little over £19 a ton, but I must point out that any price per ton must be misleading, as the vessels sold vary a great deal owing to type and age.