§ CAPTAIN COLOMB (Tower Hamlets, Bow, &c.)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, What is the estimated number of Members of the House and their friends to be accommodated on board H.M.S. Crocodile on 23rd instant; and, whether, with reference to the Admiralty notice exhibited in the Lobbies of the House, special arrangements cannot be made to enable Members and their friends, who see no risk in disembarking into a tug by the aid of electric light, to remain on board the Crocodile to see the illuminations?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON) (Middlesex, Ealing)The number to be accommodated on the Crocodile is 700. The disembarkation of so large a number of visitors after dark into tugs involves a risk to human life, especially as the flowing tide will be running at the rate of five knots. The Board of Admiralty regret that they cannot alter the decision conveyed in the notice referred to; as they do not feel justified in throwing the responsibility of carrying out the operation, without accident, on the officers and men of the troopships and tugs. The granting of this request would lead to a similar application on behalf of the visitors in the other large troopships which cannot come into harbour; and even if the permission were limited to the troopships conveying distinguished guests, upwards of 2,500 visitors would have to be provided for. The disembarkation of other visitors into private tugs, not under naval control, might I possibly be attended with greater risk, and cannot be sanctioned by the Admiralty.
§ CAPTAIN COLOMBWill hon. Members who pay their expenses be allowed to remain on board all night?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONThe question of providing accommodation on board for 700 persons is a rather serious one. I do not think we can vary the arrangements laid down.