§ Mr. MILLSasked the President of the Board of Trade how many tons of British merchant shipping are at present laid up for lack of cargoes; how many British shipyard workers are unemployed; and whether it is the intention of the Government to remit the obligation of the German Government under the Treaty of Versailles to build for the Allies 200,000 tons of shipping annually?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL - THOMSONAccording to information collected by the Chamber of Shipping, the number of ships laid up at the 36 principal ports in the United Kingdom at the end of April was 1,165, representing 1,707,000 net tons. No later information is available. According to information in the possession of the Minister of Labour, the following unemployment insurance books and out-of-work donation policies were lodged in respect of shipyard workers on 27th May (the latest date for which information is available) on account of total unemployment:—Males, 108,273; females, 1,039; total, 109,312. In addition, the following books were lodged on account of continued short-time:—Males, 641W 12,987; females, 179; total, 13,166. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to-day to the hon. Member for Ilford (Mr. Wise).