§ 70. Mr. A. Edward Daviesasked the Minister of Transport how our present shipping tonnage facilities compare with the pre-war position; and what action is being taken to develop them as a source of revenue to this country.
§ Mr. BarnesThe total gross tonnage of ships over 500 gross tons on the United Kingdom register was 16.8 million gross tons in 1939 and although over 11 million gross tons were lost during the war the fleet has already been built up to 16.3 million gross tons. The net earnings of the fleet in foreign currency have been estimated by the General Council of British Shipping to have reached no less than £100 million by 1948, and I am confident that the industry will continue to spare no effort to maintain and, so far as possible, increase this major contribution to the national economy.