HC Deb 12 March 1971 vol 813 cc199-200W
Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether British Rail Shipping Division will be invited to tender for the Associated Humber Lines Company and Atlantic Steam Navigation Company; whether the sale will be to the highest bidder; and whether foreign buyers will be prevented from tendering.

Mr. Peyton

The arrangements for the sale are a commercial matter for the National Freight Corporation, which is aware that sale to the private sector would coincide with Government policy.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many ships are owned by the Associated Humber Lines in March, 1971; what is their capital value; and how this compares with 1955 and 1961.

Mr. Peyton

The National Freight Corporation informs me that the company owns five ships, with a net book value of £1.3 million at the end of 1969, the latest year for which accounts are available, and that the comparable figures for 1961 were 10 and £3.4 million. The information is not available for 1955 since the company was not in existence at that date.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Humber Ferries, presently managed by Associated Humber Lines on behalf of British Rail, will continue to be owned by British Rail, irrespective of Associated Humber Lines' future; and whether the present services will be maintained until the building of the Humber Bridge.

Mr. Peyton

I understand that the sale of Associated Humber Lines would not affect the ownership of the Humber Ferries. The arrangements for operating them are a commercial matter for the British Railways Board and Associated Humber Lines.

Mr. Prescott

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many ships are owned by the Atlantic Steam Navigation Company; what was the accumulated capital value in March, 1971; and how this compares with 1961.

Mr. Peyton

The National Freight Corporation informs me that the company owns eight ships, with a net book value of £4.5 million at the end of 1969, the latest year for which accounts are available and that the comparable figures for 1961 were five and £3 million.