HC Deb 27 March 1939 vol 345 c1715W
Mr. R. Gibson

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many British vessels were transferred to ports of foreign registry during each of the last three years; and how many of these vessels, respectively, were also transferred to foreign owners?

Mr. Cross

The numbers of vessels of 100 tons gross and over registered at ports in the United Kingdom which were reported to the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen as having their register closed on account of transfer to foreign flags were as follows: 143 in 1936, 222 in 1937 and 149 in 1938. All these ships were reported as sold to foreign owners.