1(1)A ship is a British ship if—
(a)the ship is registered in the United Kingdom under this Act; or
(b)the ship is registered in the United Kingdom in pursuance of an Order in Council under section 80 of the M1Merchant Shipping Act 1906 (Government ships); or
(c)the ship is registered under the law of a relevant British possession; or
(d)the ship is a small ship other than a fishing vessel and—
(i)is not registered under this Act, but
(ii)is wholly owned by qualified owners, and
(iii)is not registered under the law of a country outside the United Kingdom.
(2)For the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(d) above—
“qualified owners” means persons of such description qualified to own British ships as is prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State for the purposes of that sub-paragraph; and
“small ship” means a ship less than 24 metres in length (“length” having the same meaning as in the tonnage regulations).
(3)The power to make regulations for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(d) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.