42. Vice-Admiral TAYLORasked the President of the Board of Trade whether ships are to be treated as eligible for the shipping subsidy if carrying full cargo of a tramp commodity even though they may have passenger accommodation and, if so, up to what limit; and will ships of this character be regarded as coming under the provisions of the scrapping and building part of the Act?
§ Dr. BURGINMy hon. and gallant Friend will find the answer to the first 330 part of his question in Section 6 (2) of the British Shipping (Assistance) Act, 1935. A ship fitted with passenger accommodation is not ineligible for subsidy on that account, provided that not more than 12 passengers are actually carried on any part of the voyage in respect of which subsidy is claimed. With regard to the second part, the effect of Section 3 (2) of the Act is that assistance under Part II of the Act cannot be given in respect of vessels constructed or adapted for the carriage of more than 12 passengers.
Vice-Admiral TAYLORIs it not a fact that it is all important that these passenger carrying ships should take advantage of the Act and that the low limit of 12 passengers rather hinders their doing it?
§ Dr. BURGINThe hon. and gallant Member will perhaps let me have all the details that he may have as to the limit proving a difficulty. The limit was fixed after careful consideration, and, if the hon. and gallant Gentleman has anything in mind which he particularly desires to let us know, perhaps he will send it to the Department.