§ MR. WILLIAM ALLANI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether work is still proceeding on the new Royal yacht, and whether such work is being carried out in accordance with approved plans and estimates; and, if so, how much of the Estimate remains to be expended, and can he name a date when the vessel will be completed.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERWork is still proceeding on the new Royal yacht, and is being carried out in accordance with approved plans, including those for alterations necessarily required to fit the vessel for the use of His Majesty the King and Her Majesty Queen Alexandra. The cost of these alterations will exceed the provision made in the Estimate for the current year, but I am not in a position at present to state the exact amount of the excess. It is hoped that the vessel will be ready for His Majesty's use by July.
§ MR. WILLIAM ALLANWas not an estimate of the cost made when the plans were drawn up?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERYes, Sir. Estimates were made, but owing to the alterations which have had to be effected recently in Order to suit the yacht for her present purpose some additional cost has been incurred, of which I cannot yet give detailed particulars.