§ MR. F. E. SMITH (Liverpool, Walton)To ask the First Lord or the Admiralty whether the Admiralty purchased in 1906, from the firm of T. B. Royden and Company, a vessel now known as H.M.S. "Cyclops"; whether the purchase price has been fully paid; and, if not, what is the justification for delaying such payment.
1304 (Answered by Mr. MCKenna.) Of the total purchase price of £95,000 for the "Cyclops," purchased by the Admiralty from Messrs. T. B. Royden and Company under agreement dated 19th January, 1906, £50,000 was paid before the end of January, 1906, an additional £35,000 was paid in the first week of February, 1906, and £9,000 of the remaining balance of £10,000 was paid in the first week of March, 1906, leaving £1,000 unpaid till now. The technical conditions involved have prevented, till the last few days, steps being taken to pay off this balance of £1,000. A claim for interest for such portion of the delay in payment as may be adjudged not due to Messrs. T. B. Royden and Company is under Admiralty consideration.