§ Captain R. TERRELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many motor launches are at present in commission; how many officers and other ratings are employed on them, and what is their annual cost; and what work these boats are being used for?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe number of motor launches in commission is being rapidly reduced day by day. At present900W there are about seventy in commission, in which are serving about 120 officers and 550 men, excluding those recently employed on mine clearance duties in home waters' which are now in the process of being paid off. Of the seventy launches mentioned some are employed on mine clearance duties abroad, some on special and temporary patrol duties at home and abroad, and some on miscellaneous duties in connection with transport and other duties at home and in the Mediterranean. Owing to the varied duties and amount of steaming carried out by these vessels, it is impossible to estimate the annual cost of running and maintenance, but this will be reduced materially within the next few months.