Mr. SHIRLEY BENNasked the President of the Board of Trade if any British ships have been sold or hired on time-charter to subjects of neutral countries since the 1st January?
Mr. RUNCIMANThe only British ship registered in the United Kingdom, the register of which has been closed owing to the vessel having been sold to neutrals since 1st January, is a yacht of 131 tons gross. In addition, reports have been received showing that six British ships registered outside the United Kingdom, with an aggregate gross tonnage of 646, were sold to neutrals since the date 1923W named. Five British steamers are reported as having been time-chartered to subjects of neutral countries since 1st January.