§ MR. LAMBERT (Devonshire, South Molton)I beg to ask the Secretary of the Admiralty whether, as the "Good Hope" is a cruiser presented to the British Navy by the Cape Colony, he will consider the advisability of arranging that she should first touch South African soil at the capital of the Colony responsible for this contribution to our Navy.
AIEZNOLD-FORSTERThe route of the "Good Hope" has been arranged to meet the wishes of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and it is not proposed to make any alteration. The hon. 590 Member appears to be under a misapprehension with regard to the contribution made by the Cape Colony to the Navy. Since 1899, the Colony has paid a sum of £30,000 annually to the Imperial Exchequer, and the spirit which has prompted this grant is greatly appreciated by the Government. The first cost of the "Good Hope," however, amounted to over a million, and the annual cost of maintenance exclusive of repairs, is estimated at about £100,000. It will be seen, therefore, that it is hardly correct to say that the cruiser was presented to the British Navy by the Colony. I may add that the Colony of Natal has also for some years past made a contribution to Naval Funds which, in relation to the population of the Colony, is no less generous than that made by the Cape.
§ SIR WILLIAM ALLAN (Gateshead); May I ask whether the Admiralty are afraid to steam this vessel direct to the Cape, instead of from port to port, from Gibraltar to Malta and from Malta to Port Said?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERI am quite unaware how that arises out of this Question.
§ SIR WILLIAM ALLANShe is fitted with Belleville boilers.