HC Deb 07 August 1947 vol 441 cc201-2W
100. Miss Colman

asked the Minister of Transport what is the number and aggregate tonnage of merchant ships finally allocated to the United Kingdom as reparations; and what policy has been adopted with regard to the disposal of these ships.

Mr. G. R. Strauss

Apart from six vessels obtained as scrap, the number of ex-German merchant ships allocated to the United Kingdom is 89, of 350,000 tons gross. Of these vessels seven are not yet completed and four have become total losses. Seven ships of the passenger type are being retained for trooping service and one of special construction for use as a cable ship. One ship has been transferred to Newfoundland and the remainder have been, or will be, disposed of to United Kingdom buyers.