§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he intends to require all boat owners to register their craft with him by means of the Commissioners of Customs and Excise; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Clinton DavisI have no plans to do so at present. Boating safety, including the question of registration of small boats, is one of the subjects currently under review by a Home Office working party on water safety.
§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade what percentage of British-owned boats is registered, and thus eligible to be described on registration as being prescribed by the Commission of Customs and Excise with his consent.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThis information is not available as my Department does not keep records of unregistered craft. However, in December 1975 there were 34,685 British vessels registered in the United Kingdom comprising 7,285 merchant ships, 25,700 pleasure craft, and 1,700 fishing vessels.