§ 5. Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Transport what was the number of passengers to or from the United Kingdom who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by sea in 1956 and 1960, respectively.
§ Mr. MarplesThe number of passengers to and from the United Kingdom who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by sea in 1956 was 382,000. Figures for 1960 are not yet available but the number for the first ten months of 1960 was 261,000.
§ Mr. RidleyCan my right hon. Friend say what proportion these figures represent of the total number of passengers crossing the Atlantic by all means, and does not this underline that the building of a new "Queen" liner might be subsidising a declining industry?
§ Mr. MarplesI do not think so, because the Question asked about the number of people crossing the Atlantic Ocean, which includes not only people going to the United States but also to Canada. Much of the recent fall in sea pasenger traffic was in emigrants to Canada. Further, as the "Queens" actually take the cream of the traffic, therefore, the Question as it stands is not valid as a comparison as to whether the "Queens" will be effective or not.
§ Mr. J. HowardCan my right hon. Friend give comparable figures for the "Queens" for 1956 and the first ten months of 1960?
§ Mr. MarplesNot without notice.