§ 22. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Minister of Transport how many passenger-carrying vessels of over 2,000 tons are still requisitioned.
§ Mr. BarnesThe number of passenger-carrying vessels of over 2,000 tons still requisitioned is 93, of which 73 are in service, and 20, including some of the largest vessels, are in course of reconversion and reconditioning prior to redelivery to owners.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyCan the right hon. Gentleman say what proportion of vessels is about to be released to the rightful owners?
§ Mr. BarnesI have just stated that an additional 20 are in process of reconversion for redelivery.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyCan the Minister say when the remainder will be delivered?
§ Sir Ronald RossAre there any vessels formerly employed between Great Britain and Northern Ireland among those vessels?
§ Mr. BarnesNot in this particular group, but there are some in the cross-channel service.
§ 26. Sir I. Fraserasked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement as to the Government's intentions regarding the return of ships and the control of shipping to the owners.
§ Mr. BarnesThe Government's decision to release shipping from requisition was announced in December last and effect has been given to it. The requirements of trooping make it necessary to retain a number of passenger ships in this service, but a substantial proportion of such vessels has already been released for reconditioning. In order to ensure the maintenance of essential supplies, it is still necessary to control the employment of shipping by licence.
§ Sir I. FraserDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the sooner he can return these ships to people who understand their management, the better?
§ Mr. BarnesI have done that very ex-peditiously, and the whole of these arrangements are made in agreement with the trade and the industry itself.