asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of officers and ratings employed in the Admiralty yacht "Enchantress"; the last occasion on which this vessel went to sea; and the annual cost for pay of personnel and maintenance of this yacht, respectively?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL:

There are 40 officers and ratings borne in the ship, but only 16 of these could be dispensed with if the ship were not retained. The ship has not been used by the board for her proper duties since 1929 owing to the extra expense which would be incurred. The net annual cost of keeping the ship on her present basis is £2,600 for personnel and £950 for maintenance.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think it worth while to keep this ship going, in view of the fact that she has not been to sea for many years?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL:

I am still hoping for better times, and when those times come, I shall ask the House for enough money to commission this ship, because I think it very important in connection with the duties of the Board of Admiralty. But I assure the hon. Member I shall not ask for that money while times are bad.

Captain MACDONALD:

Is it not a fact that the First Lord who preceded the right hon. Gentleman had this yacht re-conditioned and used her for a cruise?