§ 42. Mr. Awberyasked the Minister of Transport how many ships are now lying idle in ports and estuaries; what is their total tonnage; how many are coastal ships; and what is their tonnage.
§ Mr. MarplesThere were 393 ocean-going ships of all flags totalling 2,530,000 gross tons laid up for lack of employment in ports and estuaries of the world at the beginning of July, 1963. Of these ships 60, totalling 395,000 gross tons, were registered in the United Kingdom. The latest available figure for coasters relates to the middle of May, 1963, when seven British dry-cargo coasters totalling70W 4,600 tons gross were laid up. No figures are available for coastal tankers or for foreign coasters.