§ Mr. Johnstonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many steel and iron manufacturers have chartered foreign-owned vessels in recent months for coastwise traffic at Grangemouth; that these vessels carry fewer seamen than British vessels are compelled to carry; that many of these vessels, and in particular those flying the Dutch flag, escape payment of British Income Tax; and whether he will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of such foreign vessels chartered at Grangemouth this year, with the names of the charterers?
§ Dr. BurginThe records of shipping at Grangemouth show that since the beginning of this year the number of entrances and clearances at that port of foreign vessels making coastwise voyages with cargo is 10, the corresponding figure for British vessels being 149. There is no difference in the statutory provisions applicable in the United Kingdom to 3083W British and foreign vessels in the coasting trade with regard to manning. A vessel may be detained if, by reason of under-manning, she is unfit to proceed to sea without serious danger to human life.
On the subject of Income Tax, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given to his question of the 2nd March.
I fear I am not in a position to give particulars of the charterers of the vessels.