23 FEBRUARY 1918, Page 2

It was stated in the House of Commons on Tuesday

that two . hundred British merchant ships over 1,600 tons were completed last year, with a total tonnage of 1,087,696. During the year our net loss of large ships was five hundred and ninety-eight, the equiva- lent of one-fifth of our tonnage in '1916. However, the-reduction in the cargoes imported was only one--fiftieth. In the last three months fifty-four large ships, including twelve standard ships, were completed, with a total tonnage of 301,715. It may be noted that during that period, ending with January, we lost one hundred and forty-seven large ships. Our shipbuilding yards are still unable to replace the ships that are torpedoed, though their output Is increasing and our losses are diminishing.