§ Mr. Macleanasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that four British steamers, the "White-gate," the "Woolos," the "Heathcot," and the "Moorcot," were sold from January to March 1937, to Belgium and Japan; that these vessels received moneys from the Tramp Shipping Subsidy Fund; and whether he can state how much was paid out of that fund to each of those ships?
Mr. StanleyThe United Kingdom registry of the "Whitegate" was closed on 14th January last on sale to Belgian buyers for breaking up. I understand that the other three vessels have been sold to Japanese shipbreakers with forward delivery, but their registry in the United Kingdom is not closed. The only payments made in respect of tramp shipping subsidy for any of these ships have been £285 9s. for the "Heathcot" in respect of 1935 and £309 13s. for the "Woolos" in respect of 1936.