HC Deb 25 February 1937 vol 320 cc2205-8W
Mr. David Adams

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the mercantile tonnage owned by this country to-day is over 2,000,000 gross tons less than in 1914; and whether, in view of this, the Government are satisfied that, in the event of war in which this country may be engaged, the maritime interests of the nation will be fully safeguarded?

Dr. Burgin

The gross tonnage of merchant shipping registered in the ports of this country is about 1¾ million gross tons less now than it was in 1914, but in view of increased speed and improvements in design the carrying power of the fleet is little, if at all, less than in 1914.

Mr. David Adams

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the respective gross tonnage of mercantile vessels sailing under the British flag, namely, tramps, coasting and overseas, cargo liners, passenger liners, and tankers?

Dr. Burgin

Following is the most recent official information respecting the classification of vessels registered in the United Kingdom. Tugs, whalers, dredgers, wood and composite vessels, and sailing vessels with auxiliary engines are excluded from the table. Particulars of the classification of British vessels registered elsewhere than in the United Kingdom are not available, except those for Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Irish Free State and India, which are given in a recent publication of the Inter national Labour Office, entitled the: "Maritime Statistical Handbook."

Classification of steam and motor vessels of 400 tons gross and over, on the United Kingdom register on 31st December, 1935.
Nature of Service. Ships engaged in Foreign Trade. Ships engaged in Home Trade. Ships engaged in Coasting Trade. Laid up. Total.
Number of ships. Gross tonnage. Number of ships. Gross tonnage. Number of ships. Gross tonnage. Number of ships. Gross tonnage. Number of ships. Gross tonnage.
A. Tramps … 1,026 4,375,037 328 271,159 180 211,131 31 90,155 1,565 4,947,482
B. Cargo Liners … 781 4,367,953 104 107,501 55 49,459 8 33,408 948 4,558,321
C. Combined Cargo and Passenger … 330 2,809,300 33 51,111 45 66,733 2 26,332 410 2,953,476
D. Passenger … 43 874,200 43 93,395 62 66,520 1 420 149 1,034,535
E. Tankers … 287 1,844,285 16 11,526 12 9,004 37 215,996 352 2,080,811
F. Miscellaneous … 16 37,678 — — 7 4,449 — — 23 42,127
Total … 2.483 14,308,453 524 534,692 361 407,296 79 366,311 3,447 15,616,752