§ 6. Mr. FORRESTasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can supply the House with any figures showing the amount of tonnage registered at East Coast ports which is now laid up, and also the similar figure for six months ago and one year ago?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEAccording to information collected by the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom, the number of ships laid up in the United Kingdom at the end of January was 600, representing 2,250,000 tons deadweight, and 9.2 per cent, of the national tonnage. No figures are available for the earlier dates or for East Coast ports in particular.
Lieut.-Colonel Sir F. HALLDoes not my hon. and gallant Friend think that, as there are over 2,000,000 tons laid up, 524 it would be advisable for the Government to withdraw the sale of the ex-German ships in the meantime?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI think a good many other considerations have to be taken into account.
Sir F. HALLDoes my hon. and gallant Friend recognise the fact that the ships are laid up because there is not the merchandise to carry, and that, if this additional tonnage is thrown on to the market, it will have very detrimental effects?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThat is one side of the proposition which is self-evident. Another side was dealt with by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping a few days ago.
Dr. MURRAYWill they be dealt with in the Anti-Dumping Bill?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEMy hon. Friend must wait and see.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENW0RTHYDo they include German ships surrendered to this country as part of the reparations? Are they included in the figures?