§ 75. Commander BELLAIRSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that, owing to her size, oil consumption, and the crew required, the "Mauretania" is of no use as a naval vessel in war; and whether he will use his influence with the Treasury to have the subsidy expense of £90,000 per annum transferred to the Post Office for the speedy carriage of the mails?
Mr. DAVIDSONThe subsidy is paid under an agreement sanctioned by Parliament which, apart from the conditions governing the surviving ship "Mauretania," containes a number of provisions advantageous to the Naval Service, as my hon. and gallant Friend will see from Command Paper No. 1703 of 1903. The agreement expires in November, 1927, and, in the circumstances, I do not see any sufficient ground for making any alteration for the short remaining period.