VESSELS (FOREIGN PURCHASES).

HC Deb 26 April 1932 vol 265 cc217-8W

Mr. WEST RUSSELL

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of vessels registered in this country before 1st January, 1930, which have been since transferred to foreign flags, under which they are now operating, giving the respective totals in the case of the different countries concerned?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

446 vessels registered at ports of the United Kingdom, Isle of Man and Channel Islands before 1st January, 1930, were reported during the period 1st January, 1930, to 31st March, 1932, as having been removed from the register on sale to foreigners. Information is not readily available as to the flags under which these vessels (if still in service) are now operating, but the countries to which the vessels were reported as having been sold were as follow:

Country.	No. of Vessels.
Greece	71
Italy	68
France	59

Country.	No. of Vessels.
Japan	40
Norway	25
Holland	24
United States of America	18
YugoSlavia	18
Sweden	12
Germany	11
Belgium	10
China	9
Spain	8
Finland	7
Latvia	7
Russia	7
Estonia	6
Denmark	5
Egypt	5
Panama	5
Portugal	5
Turkey	5
Argentina	3
Hungary	3
Other Countries	15