§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether the power to issue a prohibition order under clause 31 of the Merchant Shipping Bill could be used if a United Kingdom shipping company sells a ship to a foreign scrapyard.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisA prohibition order could be made only if it appeared to the Secretary of State that a change of control might or would be contrary to the interests of the United Kingdom. I cannot envisage circumstances in which the sale of a single ship for scrap would engage the national interest.