HC Deb 05 November 1945 vol 415 c1042W
Mr. Berry

asked the Minister of War Transport how many of the ships allocated to Malta are still running on services other than Maltese; and how many of these are running on Maltese service.

Mr. Barnes

Of the 13 vessels acquired by Maltese owners or registered in Malta since the outbreak of war, two have been sunk, three are employed in deep sea trades, five in the United Kingdom coasting trade, and three in the Mediterranean, of which one is in the Malta trade to-day. Supplies to Malta are not dependent upon Maltese, or Maltese owned, ships. If programmed requirements of Malta cannot be met by Maltese tonnage, allocations of tonnage to cover the deficiencies are made as necessary by the United Maritime Authority.