§ 39. Commander Purseyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the amount of new merchant shipping tonnage completed in the British Isles in 1938 and 1947, respectively; and the amount likely to be completed this year.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsCompletions of new merchant shipping in the British Isles in 1938 and 1947 totalled 862,667 and 948,847 gross tons respectively. Completions in 1948 are expected to total rather more than 1,000,000 gross tons.
§ Mr. EdwardsA very small proportion indeed. If not 100 per cent., 99.9 per cent. is being built in private yards.
§ Mr. RankinWhat relation do the figures which my hon. Friend has just given bear to the capacity of the shipbuilding yards?
§ Mr. EdwardsI think that is another question altogether, but the figure I have given of the estimated tonnage this year is somewhat below the capacity of the yards.
§ Captain MarsdenCan the hon. Gentleman say how much of this tonnage is to go abroad to hoist foreign flags?
§ Mr. EdwardsNot without notice.