§ Mr. Callaghanasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what is his policy about the sale of British tramp shipping to foreign countries.
§ Mr. WatkinsonIt is the Government's policy in general to allow the sale of British tramp shipping to foreign countries subject only to the requirements of our national defence and security.
§ Mr. Callaghanasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what tonnage of tramp ships has been sold abroad by shipping companies since 1950, divided into age groups and showing separately the tonnage sold while building.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe following table shows the age distribution and tonnage of tramp vessels of 500 gross tons and over transferred from the United Kingdom and Colonial Registers to other registers since the end of 1950:
tons in 1953 and the other of 6,548 gross tons in 1954.