§ Captain Kerbyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1) the annual cost of maintaining Her Majesty's ships "Alert" and "Surprise" in the Far East and Mediterranean, respectively;
(2) if he will consider paying off Her Majesty's ships "Alert" and "Surprise" and replacing them with more effective vessels, possibly anti-submarine frigates, which would also be able to fulfil the duties of dispatch vessels and yachts for the Commanders-in-Chief.
§ Mr. R. AllanOn average "Alert" and "Surprise" cost respectively £204,000 and £163,000 a year to run. These two dispatch vessels are frigates which have been specially adapted to meet Command requirements economically. When the future of these two ships is next under review I will bear my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion in mind.