HC Deb 03 June 1947 vol 438 cc12-3W
Sir W. Darling

asked the Minister of Transport if any estimate can be formed as to how many ships sailed from the United Kingdom without cargo during 1946; and what is the actual unused space available for export goods.

Mr. Barnes

According to returns prepared by the Board of Trade 17,012 ships left this country during 1946 for ports abroad without loading any commercial cargo; of these, 6,898 were British and the rest foreign. No estimate can be given of the unused space available for export goods since many ships leaving in ballast are unsuitable for export cargo of certain types, or bound for areas to which only limited quantities of cargo are being exported. In general, sufficient shipping is available for all the cargo which is offering for export.