§ 96. Mr. WATTasked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his Department has been for the last six months paying off yachts which had been lent to it by the owners and chartering other vessels to take the place of these yachts lent without charge to the State; and, if so, will he say the reason of this action, in view of the facts that tonnage is scarce and these yachts must be laid up when discharged by his Department?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Dr. Macnamara)No yachts lent gratuitously to the Admiralty have been paid off during the last six months or at any other time, except on the ground of unsuitability for service. Certain small motor boats have been paid off, owing to the availability of vessels built to Admiralty order. A few small vessels have been chartered to perform harbour service duties, which were no part of the duties allotted to gratuitously loaned motor boats. The value of the motor boats paid off from the point of view of "tonnage," as used in the mercantile sense, is nil.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the right hon. Gentleman state whether the boats used in substitution for the small motor boats have been proved to be entirely satisfactory?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThat does not arise out of this question.