§ 3. Mr. SHINWELLasked the President of the Board of Trade the average price per ton at which reparation ships were disposed of, and how this price compared with the market rate of tonnage when the sales were effected?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Viscount Wolmer)The reparation ships, including vessels of widely different types and ages, were sold during the period extending from October, 1920, to December, 1921, a period during which values varied greatly, generally in the downward direction. The prices received varied from £38 per gross ton to less than 21 per gross ton, and the average price over the whole transaction was £11.1 per gross ton. The sales were open to all British buyers, and in certain cases to world buyers. The prices obtained were, therefore, the market rates for the ships in question at the date of sale.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs it not possible to say what the price of tonnage was between October, 1920, and December, 1921. Surely, the Department has the information?
§ Viscount WOLMERIt all depends upon the class of tonnage.