§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will assess the impact of the transfer of merchant shipping to foreign flags since 1979 on the balance of payments deficit.
Year Provisional (Car) Full (Car) LGV PCV Total 1989–90 94,465 447,538 — — 542,003 1990–91 80,010 439,042 — — 519,052 1991–92 76,990 453,176 35,086 7,186 572,438 Driving tests applications figures are available for England/Wales and Scotland.
Year England and Wales Scotland Total 1989–90 165,223 15,136 180,359 1990–91 156,594 14,740 171,334 1991–92 137,373 13,627 151,000
§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the number of railway staff employed per million train kilometres for each of the EC member states, Sweden, Norway and Finland for each year since 1979.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 8 June 1992]: I have placed the information requested in the Library of the House and am writing to the hon. Member sending him a copy.
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§ Mr. NorrisFor the calculation of the balance of payments, the sea transport account includes the international income and expenditure of all ships owned by United Kingdom residents, without reference to flag of registry. Thus the transfer of ships to foreign flags has no direct impact on the balance of payments.