20.
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any second-hand tonnage has been
Vessels in respect of which negotiations to purchase have been completed.
| ||||||||
| Merchant Ship Reserve. | ||||||||
| Name of Ship. | Built. | Tonnage. | Normal Trading Speed in Knots | |||||
| Gross. | Deadweight. | |||||||
| "Celtic Star" | … | … | … | 1918 | 5,574 | 7,318 | 10½–11 | |
| "Transit" | … | … | … | 1919 | 3,091 | 5,150 | 9 | |
| "Manchester Producer" | … | 1916 | 5,106 | 8,570 | 12½ | |||
| "Trade" | … | … | … | … | 1912 | 5,848 | 9,000 | 9–10 |
| "Pentridge Hill" | … | … | 1917 | 5,119 | 8,035 | 9 | ||
| "Polycarp" | … | … | … | 1918 | 3,577 | 5,412 | 11 | |
bought by the Government for the reserve of merchant ships; and, if so, will he give particulars of age, size, speed and other relevant data in each case?
Negotiations for the purchase of six vessels for the Merchant Ship Reserve have been completed, and I expect that the contracts will be signed shortly. With the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate details of the vessels in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Will it include the price paid by His Majesty's Government for these vessels?
Can the right hon. Gentleman say why it is that one vessel which was offered some months ago for £17,500 has been purchased by the Government at £20,000, and it is a vessel 20 years old?
Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question.
Did I not ask that question in the course of the recent Debate and did not the Government fail to reply?
If the hon. Member will put down a specific question I will reply.
If what the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell) says is correct, what action are the Government going to take in the matter?
Very careful arrangements are made for these ships to be valued, and I am perfectly prepared to trust the valuation of those who advise us.
Can the right hon. Gentleman say on whose advice he acts in these purchases?
I have an advisory committee, and I have the Board of Trade surveyors.
What do they know-about values?
Following are the details: