Captain FABERasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state whether the "Afridi" has yet been accepted by the Admiralty from the contractors; if so, 1246 what precedents are there for accepting a vessel which has not attained her contract speed; what was the reason for accepting this particular vessel; and what was the reason for allowing several months to elapse before coming to a decision on this question?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe "Afridi" has been accepted. The most recent precedents for accepting a vessel which has not attained her contract speed are the cases of the "Arab" and the "Express." The vessel being required for His Majesty's Service, it was decided, after her full speed trial had been carried out, that she should be accepted, when complete, at the reduced sea-going speed then obtained, and the amount paid to the contractors reduced as provided by the contract. It is not the case that several months elapsed before a decision was arrived at. The vessel could not be definitely accepted and taken over from the contractors until the necessary work of opening up her machinery, and other work incidental to completion, was concluded.
Captain FABERMay I ask whether the "Afridi" did not attain the necessary speed which was guaranteed?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAShe obtained a sea-going speed of 32¾ knots.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAYes, certainly. Her sea-going speed should be 33, and she attained 32¾ knots.
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI do not know.