HC Deb 18 December 1989 vol 164 c6W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what calculation he has made of the likely impact on British owned Panamanian registered ships which will arise when the United States Administration bans Panamanian flag carriers from United States ports;

(2) what information he has on British owned Panamanian registered ships re-flagging as a result of the impending ban on Panamanian flag carriers from United States ports;

(3) what representations he has received from British shipowners following the decision of the United States Administration to ban Panamanian registered ships from United States ports.

Mr. McLoughlin

The General Council of British Shipping has objected to the ban on principle. It has told us of one United Kingdom shipowner who may re-register a Panamanian flagged vessel that operates in the United States trades.