§ Mr. MIDDLEMOREasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether His Majesty's ships are understood to be commissioned for a period of two years; whether it is intended to extend the commission of the surveying ship "Egeria," commissioned in March, 1908, from March, 1910 to 1911; whether he is aware that this would entail inconvenience and dissatisfaction on the part of the ship's company: and whether, in view of these facts, the Admiralty will reconsider its decision?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe usual period of a commission is two years, but the actual length is at the discretion of the Admiralty. In the case of the "Egeria" it has been extended beyond the usual two years to 1911 to suit the work on which she is employed, and it is not proposed to vary this decision.