MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the Secretary to the 176 Admiralty what is the total cost of the Admiralty yacht "Enchantress"; has the last instalment of that cost been paid, and has the yacht been taken over; what is the total annual cost of the crew and the keeping up of the Admiralty yacht; how many days has this yacht been used by the Lords of the Admiralty during each of the past three years respectively; and is there any reason why the Lords of the Admiralty should not use a cruiser for their official voyages.
§ MR. PRETYMANThe total cost of the "Enchantress" is £126,393. The last instalment has not been paid. The yacht has been taken over. The total annual cost of the crew and the keeping up, exclusive of coal and sea stores, is approximately £17,600. The cost of these stores would probably not exceed, on an average, £4,000 per annum. The yacht has only been available for use for the past nine months. The objections to the use of a cruiser for this purpose are—(1) the interference with the scheme of fleet organisation and general service; (2) the unsuitability of cruiser accommodation for the purpose.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESIs the hon. Gentleman aware that cruisers are constantly used for taking Ministers about?
§ [No Answer was returned.]