§ 77. Mr. J. L. Williamsasked the Minister of War Transport what is the number and tonnage of ships recently allocated, or due to be allocated, from the German merchant fleet to Great Britain; and whether they are to form part of the British Merchant Navy on other than a temporary basis.
§ Mr. A. BarnesThe Tripartite Merchant Marine Commission in Berlin divided ex-German ships into three shares. The number of ships allocated to the United Kingdom was 147 of 435,000 gross register tons. The United Kingdom and United States Governments have agreed to provide out of their shares appropriate amounts for other Allied States whose merchant marines have suffered heavy losses in the war against Germany, except that the U.S.S.R. has undertaken to make provision for Poland out of her share. This re-allocation of the United Kingdom and United States shares will be undertaken by the Inter-Allied Reparation Agency in Brussels. The ships finally allocated to the United Kingdom will be at the complete disposal of His Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. WilliamsIs the Minister aware of the anxiety among shipbuilding workers with regard to the eventual effect of this policy upon employment?
§ Mr. BarnesMy hon. Friend may rest assured that this aspect has received the very careful consideration of the Government.
§ Mr. Hector HughesHow many of these ships are fishing vessels which could be allocated to the fishing fleets?
§ Mr. BarnesI should say practically none of them.