HC Deb 25 February 1902 vol 103 cc1081-3

2. £200,000, Navy (Supplementary).

MR. FLYNN

said that the Committee ought to have some explanation of the extraordinary difference of £38,000 between the original and revised Esti- mates in connection with the charter of the "Ophir" for the Duke and Duchess of York. There was practically an increase of fifty par cent. He could quite understand that a princely visit should be on a princely scale, and if the Estimate were exceeded by a comparatively trivial amount nothing would be said about it. But he thought that in the circumstances the Committee was entitled to some explanation.

MR. ARNOLD-FORSTER

said that there was no excess in the Vote. The difference was caused by the longer voyage owing to the ship visiting the Cape and also by a longer period of detention in Canada than was estimated.

MR. FLYNN

said he would not detain the Committee further, but that explanation ought to have been given.

Resolution agreed to.

Resolutions to be reported tomorrow; Committee to sit again tomorrow.