§ Mr. Turner-Samuelsasked the Minister of War Transport how many British-owned tankers are there in service; and how many tankers it is estimated would be required to maintain a continuous supply service to this country.
§ Mr. BarnesAs to the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Holborn (Mr. Aitken) on 15th October. For civil and military consumption at the present level in the United Kingdom, about 200 tankers are required without any provision for stock building. A further 25 tankers are needed to carry supplies for the British Army of the Rhine. Tankers are required, however, not only for carrying supplies to this country but also to meet the needs of the British Commonwealth as a whole, of the military and naval forces overseas and of other areas for which this country has responsibility