§ Sir R. BLAIRasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the original cost of the steam-yacht "Vigilant," now used by the Board of Customs and Excise, the cost of adapting her for present service, the number of ship's company, the annual cost of running her, and for what duties is she kept in commission?
Mr. YOUNGThe Customs Revenue vessel "Vigilant" was formerly an Admiralty trawler, and was transferred from the Admiralty at a nominal charge of £6,500. The cost of adapting her for Customs service was £2,120. The number of ship's company is 17 officers and men; the annual cost of running and maintaining her is £6,800 (including the crew's pay); and, except for occasional port to port inspections, she is employed in the prevention of smuggling and in boarding and searching vessels for contraband in the estuarial waters of the Thames, which present special dangers to the Customs Revenue. The work of the "Vigilant" and other Customs vessels was specifically investigated by the Geddes Committee, and the Committee reported against any reduction of that work.