§ 71. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that for every one ship laid up in July. 1957, there are now nine, representing over 1 million gross tons; and, in view of the rapid deterioration in this short 34W period of an industry which is the country's lifeline, what steps are being taken to halt it and reverse this trend.
§ Mr. NeaveI am aware that at present about 1.2 million gross tons of ships on the United Kingdom register are laid up for lack of employment. This is the effect of the current recession in world trade, and the best thing the Government can do to help to reverse the trend is to encourage the expansion of trade, as they are doing.