§ MR. HARMSWORTH (Caithnessshire)To ask the Secretary to the 57 Admiralty if he can state to what purpose it is intended to devote the "Warrior," and what has been the cost of the alterations to this ship; and whether he will explain why, with a view to reducing the cost, an examination of the boilers and engines was not made before the vessel was roofed in.
(Answered by Mr. Arnold-Forster.) The "Warrior" is being prepared for service as a repair and depôt ship for torpedo boat destroyers. The cost of the alterations up to date has been about £6,000, but further work still remains to be done. It was at first intended only to utilise the vessel as a lay apart store for destroyers, and for this purpose the removal of the lighter portions only of the machinery was necessary. It was subsequently decided to convert the ship into a repair and depôt ship; and this decision involved the removal of the whole of the machinery. The latter part of the hon. Member's Question is therefore based on a misapprehension.