§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister for Trade how much of the British registered merchant fleet was laid up at the end of 1982.
§ Mr. Sproat[pursuant to his reply, 24 February 1983, c. 487]: Figures published by the General Council of British Shipping show United Kingdom registered dead weight tonnage laid up for lack of employment of 1,736,000 dwt for dry cargo vessels and 3,637,000 dwt for tankers at 31 December 1982. These represent 12 and 17 per cent. respectively of the United Kingdom registered fleets at 1 July 1982.