HC Deb 13 December 1933 vol 284 cc360-2
46. Mr. BURNETT

asked the President of the Board of Trade the rate of subsidies paid by the principal maritime Powers to their mercantile fleets?

Dr. BURGIN

I am sending my hon. Friend the information at my disposal.

47. Mr. MACLEAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the chartering, on 7th December, of two Dutch steamers to load timber and grain in British Columbia for the United Kingdom in January, 1934; and, in view of the fact that these two ships have been laid up at Amsterdam since 6th September, will he state what action he is taking to defend British shipping by concerted action with the Dominions or otherwise?

Dr. BURGIN

I have seen a report to this effect in the Press. The second part of the question raises issues of policy which are under consideration.

Mr. MACLEAN

As this matter of policy in regard to the sale of vessels has been under consideratoin by the Board of Trade for a considerable number of years, can the hon. Gentleman give the House any information as to when they are likely to arrive at a decision?

Dr. BURGIN

think that that matter might possibly be raised in the Debate which is to occur this afternoon.

Mr. MACLEAN

Will the decision be given in the reply of the Minister in that Debate?

Dr. BURGIN

That rests with the President of the Board of Trade.

The number and gross tonnage of steam and motor vessels, of 100 tons gross and above, registered under Part I only, of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, at ports in the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands, which were recorded as employed in the foreign trade at some time during the years 1931 and 1932, respectively, and the number of British, foreign and lascar seamen employed therein were as follow:
Year. Vessels employed. Seamen employed.
Number. Tons gross. British. Foreigners. Lascars (British subjects and Foreigners). Total.
1931 … … 2,999 16,465,445 118,020 14,846 55,373 188,239
1932 … … 2,788 15,426,147 109,361 11,837 52,117 173,315
Note. —Foreign trade includes vessels trading beyond the limits of the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, the Irish Free State, the Channel Islands and the Continent of Europe between the River Elbe and Brest. Under the heading "Lascars" are included Asiatics and East Africans employed under agreements for natives of Asia or East Africa, which open and terminate in Asia.

48. Mr. MACLEAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and net tonnage of sailing and steam, including motor, vessels on the register of the United Kingdom which were sold to foreign countries in the years 1931 and 1932, respectively?

Dr. BURGIN

As the answer includes a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Major LLOYD GEORGE

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the answer includes the amount of tonnage sold for use as well as the amount of tonnage sold for breaking-up purposes?

Dr. BURGIN

The statement which I propose to circulate gives the number and the net tonnage of vessels registered at ports in the United Kingdom sold to foreigners. It does not differentiate between use and breaking up. It is the mere question of sale.

49. Mr. MACLEAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and tonnage, net or gross, of registered steam, including motor, vessels belonging to the United Kingdom and employed in foreign trading in the years 1931 and 1932, respectively, and the number of persons employed therein during each of those years, distinguishing between British, foreign and lascars?

Dr. BURGIN

As the answer is long and includes a table of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

Mr. HARCOURT JOHNSTONE

Can not we have the figures now, as they do not seem to involve a long answer?

Dr. BURGIN

It is the custom when a number of figures are involved, and for the convenience of the House, to circulate them.

Following is the answer:

The number and net tonnage of vessels registered at ports in the United Kingdom, the registers of which were closed during the years 1931 and 1932 on account of sale to foreigners, were as follow:

Sailing Vessels.
No. Tons net.
1931 … … 19 1,373
1932 … … 14 772
Steam and Motor Vessels.
No. Tons net.
1931 … … 198 364,709
1932 … … 181 388,680