§ 21. Mr. Noel-Bakerasked the President of the Board of Trade what total tonnage of British ships has been sold to foreign purchasers during the three months August, September, and October, 1938?
§ Mr. StanleyAs reported to the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen, the tonnage of vessels registered at ports in the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Channel Islands, the registers of which were closed during the three months ended 31st October, 1938, on account of sale to foreigners, amounted to 98,540 tons gross.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerCan the right hon. Gentleman say what is the reason for this rather alarming diminution of British shipping by sales to foreigners?
§ Mr. StanleyI do not understand the hon. Member when he speaks about diminution. The figures of sales of the 98,000 odd tons is slightly less than in 1936, and very much less than in 1935 and 1937.