§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Transport how many ships of 6,000 tons and upwards are still retained under the control of his Department; and how many of these are employed on trooping, and aiding emigration overseas, respectively.
§ Mr. BarnesThe number and tonnage of ships of 6,000 gross registered tons and upwards, owned, requisitioned or time chartered by my Department are as follows:
— Number Gross Tons (Thousands) Troopships and Hospital Ships Vessels employed as troopships 14 178.4 Vessels fitting out as troopships 2 36.4 Hospital ship 1 7.8 Vessels being reconditioned after trooping and prior to return to owners 7 132.6 Emigration Vessels employed for emigration or as civilian transports 9 124.1 Vessels fitting out for such employment 3 49.3 Vessels on Commercial Service Government owned and under management of shipping companies pending sale 4 30.1 Government owned and chartered to shipping companies 24 174.4 On bareboat charter from the Canadian Government and sub-chartered to shipping companies 58 412.5 Totals 122 1,145.6 In addition, I have entered into an agreement with the owners of three liners operating from the United Kingdom to Australia whereby for four years all passenger accommodation in the ships on, the outward voyages to Australia is placed at my Department's disposal for emigration purposes.