§ 5. Colonel GRETTONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the merchant tonnage launched in Germany during the past 12 months and the value in pounds sterling; the number and tonnage of the first-class liners launched in Germany during the past three years for the Atlantic trade and the value in pounds sterling; how many modern liners, and the tonnage, have been launched in Germany during the past three years for trading upon other foreign routes; and the value of such liners in pounds sterling?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEThe latest figures in my possession regarding vessels built in Germany relate to the calendar year 1922. During that year 685 vessels of 742,100 tons gross were completed, as compared with 397 vessels of 450,900 tons in 1921 and 330 vessels of 327,700 tons gross in 1920. I regret that I am unable to state the values of those vessels or the numbers of liners built for various trade routes.
§ Colonel GRETTONCannot my right hon. Friend get the information asked for?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMENo, I do not think I can. I have made inquiry as to the information available. I do not think I can get it. I do not know from whom I could ascertain what was the price at which different contracts were placed.
§ Colonel GRETTONIs it not possible to arrive at the value according to the prices which obtained in this country?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEYes, but that is not what my hon. and gallant Friend asked for. If he puts it to me what is the value of 740,000 tons at the average price of British tonnage at that time, I might work out a rough calculation for him, but that is not what he asked.
§ Mr. PRINGLEIs it not the fact that the Germans were able to build much more cheaply than the prices which ruled in this country at that time?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEYes, that is so.