HC Deb 18 March 1930 vol 236 cc1879-80
14. Mr. FOOT (for> Mr. FRANK OWEN)

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total tonnage of British merchant marine registered under the Board of Trade rules constructed in 1929 to burn oil only, to burn coal only, and to burn both coal and oil, and the corresponding figure for 1913?

Mr. W. R. SMITH

The information is not available in the form desired by the hon. Member, but the following figures may be of service to him:

Tons.
Total ships launched in this country in 1929 1,522,623
(About 86 per cent. of this tonnage was for registration under the British flag.)
Of this motor ships totalled 464,188
Steamers fitted to burn oil under boilers totalled 306,000

Of the last named, a considerable proportion can with slight alteration burn coal instead of oil and some do in fact burn coal, but figures are not available to show how much of this tonnage is actually burning coal or oil at any one time. Figures for 1913 similar to those given for 1929 are not available.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

Is it not certain that the merchant marine will all be burning oil in the future and that the coal trade will perish?

Mr. SMITHERS

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that if the Coal Bill becomes law it will give a further incentive—

Mr. SPEAKER

That appears to be an entirely hypothetical question.