§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many British-owned vessels are registered under flag-of-convenience terms in the Bahamas; and what are the terms of his agreement with the Government of the Bahamas for use of these vessels for defence purposes.
§ Mr. McLoughlinOne hundred and fourteen British-owned trading ships (excluding Hong Kong-owned ships) are registered in the Bahamas. A copy of the agreement with the Commonwealth of the Bahamas concerning the availability of British-owned ships to HMG in the event of hostilities is being sent to the hon. Member. A further copy has been deposited in the House of Commons Library.
§ Mr. SillarsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a table showing merchant vessels available for defence purposes in each year from 1985 to the nearest available date; and if the table will distinguish between vessels registered in the United Kingdom and those registered in dependent territories.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThis information is contained in "Defence Statistics" table 1.3 in the "Statement on Defence Estimates 1989" (Cm. 675-II) a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library. Separate figures are given for the vessels registered in the United Kingdom and those registered in Crown dependencies and dependent territories, except for 1985 for which only United Kingdom-registered figures are available.