§ MR. GOURLEY (Sunderland)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any, and, if so, what, arrangements he intends making for Members of both Houses of Parliament who may desire to attend the visit and review of the French Fleet?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (Lord G. HAMILTON, Middlesex, Ealing)I shall be glad to do what I can to facilitate the wishes of those Members of Parliament who may desire to inspect; the French squadron that will be at Portmouth, but at present I have not received any intimation from Members of Parliament that leads me to suppose that any considerable number do desire to be so present.
Subsequently,
§ MR. CREMER (Shoreditch, Haggerston)Is it not usual to put a notice in the Library inviting Members who desire to attend to put down their names? I cannot find that in this case any such notice has been put up.
§ LORD G. HAMILTONAs so many Members have left town it is of little use putting a notice in the Library, but if hon. Members who desire to attend will write to the Secretary to the Admiralty, it will be ascertained how many desire to attend; and if a considerable number wish to do so, I will consider what can be done for their accommodation.
§ MR. CREMERWhy not put up the usual notice?
§ LORD G. HAMILTONIf a notice were put up, hon. Members would not see it until to-morrow, and, in the short time left of the Session, they would be unable to take advantage of it. The best course will be to write to the Secretary to the Admiralty.