§ 39. Mr. Keenanasked the Minister of Transport how many ships, British owned, and British registered, of all tonnages, have been sent to the Continent of Europe for refitting, overhaul or repair since January, 1947, to date; and what are their names.
§ Mr. CallaghanI have no information about the period before September, 1947, but since then 10 ships have been repaired on the Continent, with my right hon. Friend's authority. I am circulating their names in HANSARD.
§ Mr. KeenanWill the Minister note that the sending of these ships abroad for repair has an effect on employment in certain ports; and may I call his attention to the fact that for a number of months now there have been over 2,000 ship repairers unemployed in Liverpool? Can the Treasury do anything to prevent the intention of shipowners to send their ships for repair abroad by refusing to give credit for the carrying out of repairs on that particular basis?
§ Mr. CallaghanThe only basis on which repairs abroad are permitted is that it is not possible to do them in this country, and one of the features watched very closely is the currency position.
§ Following are the ships: "Joseph Mitchell," "North Down," "New Westminster City." "Duke of Sparta," "Mantola," "North Devon," "Lord Byron," "Baron Haigh," "Tanana," and "City of Florence."
§ The list does not include 20 ships carrying out repairs abroad because of damage incurred on voyage.