HC Deb 14 November 1951 vol 493 cc41-2W
64. Mr. Osborne

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the purchase price of the s.s. "African Queen"; how much was spent on refitting and converting her; what was her operational cost; why she has been withdrawn; and what is the total estimated loss.

75. Captain Duncan

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the cost of buying and equipping the s.s. "African Queen"; what revenue has been obtained from catching sharks off West Africa; what is the total loss to the taxpayer to date; and if he will drop this venture.

Mr. Lyttelton:

As already announced, the Colonial Development Corporation has abandoned this scheme. The total cost of the vessel and its conversion was £304,200. Operating and administration costs of the ship and shore station for the nine months from January to September, 1951, amounted to £134,827. The total revenue from all fishing, chiefly shark fishing, is expected to be about £18,000. The Corporation withdrew the ship because of the high cost of operation coupled with the severe fall in the price of vitamin A oil, the scheme's primary product. The Corporation cannot estimate the loss sustained until the assets are realised.