§ 110. Mr. Awberyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that a vessel now berthed in one of the South Wales ports, particulars of which have been sent to him, is intended for passenger traffic in the Eastern Mediterranean; that a considerable amount of labour and material has been expended on the refitting of this ship; and if he is satisfied that the purpose for which this vessel is intended justifies such heavy expenditure of labour and material when it is required for more urgent purposes.
§ Mr. W. EdwardsI have no information that the vessel concerned, which is a small one, is to traffic in the Eastern Mediterranean. In reply to the second part of the Question, labour has only been used on this vessel when not required for more urgent work; and no supplies of timber or paint were authorised by the Admiralty. About 20 tons of steel, which did not require specific authorisation, were used out of the ship repairers' stocks. So far as the last part of the Question is concerned, I understand that the vessel is being fitted out for passenger traffic, but I am not in a position to state whether the cost of repairs will be justified.