HL Deb 04 February 1997 vol 577 c138WA
Lord Clinton-Davis

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Where the United Kingdom's merchant fleet stands in the league table of the world's merchant fleets; and what was its position in 1979.

Viscount Goschen

At the end of 1996, the United Kingdom merchant fleet stood at 29th in theleague table of the world's merchant fleets in terms of gross tonnage and 33rd by deadweight. The position at the end of 1979 was fourth for both gross tonnage and deadweight.