§ 24. Commander Nobleasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies for what purposes was the Fiji Government vessel "Viti" built and at what cost; whether she has been used for those purposes; why it is proposed to dispose of her; and whether it is intended to replace her.
Mr. Creech JonesThe Fiji Government ship was built for administrative purposes at a total cost, including equipment, of £68,000. She was used as intended from August, 1940, until commissioned as a naval vessel in April, 1941. She is being disposed of because the development of air transport has rendered the use of so large an administrative vessel unnecessary and her replacement by a similar vessel will not be necessary