18. Miss Rathboneasked the President of the Board of Trade how many ships which are wholly or largely British-owned are registered under the flags of other nations?
19. Miss Rathboneasked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the 1972 policy of His Majesty's Government to discourage the registration under the British flag of ships belonging to companies wholly or largely controlled by nationals of other States?
Mr. StanleyI would refer the hon. Member to the reply on this subject made to my hon. Friend, the Member for Southampton (Mr. Craven-Ellis) on 28th October last.
§ Mr. ManderIs the Minister aware of the danger of ships on the British register being transferred to the American, Dutch and other registries owing to the lack of protection afforded to British ships by the British Government?
Mr. StanleyThis country has afforded ample protection to its ships outside the three-mile limit, and the recognition of that fact has led to a considerable transfer of foreign ships to British registry.
§ Mr. ManderIf I bring certain facts to the Minister's attention will he be good enough to consider them?