HC Deb 20 June 1921 vol 143 c880
32. Major BARNES

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the resolution moved by the ex-president of the Chamber of Shipping and passed by the North of England Steamship Owners' Association on Monday, the 30th ultimo, demanding a free and unrestricted world's market for the sale of tonnage; and whether this war-time restriction will now be removed?

Mr. BALDWIN

I have been asked to reply. As indicated in the answer which I gave the hon. Member on 9th June, I think that the sooner we can get back to a condition of complete freedom from restriction the better it will be. But this particular restriction was imposed by special Acts of Parliament—the British Ships (Transfer Restriction) Acts—and those Acts remain in force for three years after the official end of the War. After carefully considering the matter in all its bearings, I do not think the time has yet come for proposing the repeal of these Acts, but in the meantime each case in which it is desired to transfer a ship to a foreign flag will be carefully considered on its merits.

Sir F. HALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the enormous excess of tonnage in this country at the present time, and under the circumstances is it not advisable to remove this embargo in order that tonnage may be transferred to other countries?