§ MR. GOURLEYasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If it is intended to 489 repair Her Majesty s wooden yacht "Victoria and Albert;" if so, at what cost; if not, is it intended to build a new vessel; of what material and at what probable cost; and, if at one of the dockyards, or by public tender; further, to inquire the annual cost of maintaining the four vessels now held at the disposal of Her Majesty; and, whether he considers it necessary to maintain more than two yachts in Commission, seeing that Her Majesty seldom resorts to this mode of travelling?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe Victoria and Albert is under survey, and no decision has been arrived at regarding her repair. With regard to the cost of maintaining the Royal yachts, I cannot state it at present; but if my hon. Friend will move for a Return of it, it will be granted. In reply to his last Question, I have to say that, in the opinion of the Admiralty, the provision of vessels which has been sanctioned by successive Boards of Admiralty for the use of Her Majesty and the Royal Family is not excessive.