§ 30. Mr. Shinwellasked the Minister of Transport what is the total amount of idle tonnage of British ocean-going vessels at the latest available date.
§ Mr. MarplesOn 1st March, 61 ships of 1,600 gross tons and over registered in the United Kingdom, totalling 457,000 gross tons, were laid up for lack of employment. This amounts to less than 3 per cent. of the United Kingdom fleet.
§ Mr. ShinwellIs not that serious, and is there any evidence of an improvement?
§ Mr. MarplesIt is true that 3 per cent. is small, but even so it is serious. Nevertheless, there has been a reduction. In the autumn of 1959 it was 6 per cent.; now it is 3 per cent.