§ Mr. KINGnext asked how much new shipping, destined for the mercantile marine, was laid down in the first three months of 1914, 1915, and 1916, respectively; and what was the aggregate tonnage in each case?
Mr. RUNCIMANAccording to the returns published by "Lloyd's Register 929W of Shipping" the number of vessels commenced during the first three months of each of the years mentioned and their aggregate gross tonnage were as follows:
Year. Steam. Sail. No. Grosstonnage. No. Grosstonnage. 1914 148 370,639 15 2,326 1915 140 292,421 — — 1916 54 102,723 1 160