HC Deb 01 December 1986 vol 106 c501W
14. Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to arrest the decline in Great Britain's shipping industry.

Mr. Michael Spicer

The Government are closely monitoring the situation of the British shipping industry. A large part of the apparent decline can be attributed to the transfer of vessels within British ownership to other registries, very often under the British flag, rather than to a withdrawal from shipping.