§ MR. PLUMMER (Newcastle-on-Tyne)To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the amount of money spent on repairs to the Trinity yachts "Irene" and "Mermaid" and the Irish Lights yacht "Tearaght," since they were built; whether it is proposed to further repair the "Irene"; and, if so, what is the nature of such repairs and the probable cost.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) I am informed by the Trinity House that the approximate amount expended in repairs to the hull and machinery of the "Irene," since she was built in 1890 up to the end of last year, is about £23,000, this amount representing ordinary and special repairs, as well as the cost incurred in respect of a collision a few years ago which was unrecoverable. In addition to the above the "Irene" has just undergone a thorough overhaul, including the fitment of new boilers, at a total cost of about £9,500, and it is anticipated that she will not require any further repairs for some time. As regards the "Mermaid," which was built in 1897, the total outlay for repairs to 1425 hull and machinery up to the present time amounts approximately to the sum of £1,900. I am informed by the Commissioners of Irish Lights that the total expenditure on the "Tearaght," under the headings of ordinary and engine room repairs, during the period from 1st April. 1893. to the 31st March, 1904, amounts to £9,518 4s. Id.