§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Defence what efforts are made by his Department to ensure that at the design stage of merchant ships features are incorporated which would make the ship of military value in the event of requisition; what fiscal incentives are given; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonWhile the MOD would welcome the incorporation of such features in merchant ships at the design stage, the many competing pressures on defence resources have prevented the necessary funding from being made available.