§ MR. KEARLEY (Devonport)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty what is the customary or regulation period of leave allowed annually to Admirals holding the appointment of Admiral of the Port at Devonport and other naval centres; and whether, during the recent tenure of this post, His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh conformed to the Service Regulations in this respect; and, if not, what was his total absence on leave or otherwise each of the three years he held the appointment, and also that of his predecessor in the office?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe amount of leave granted to the Commander-in-Chief at the Home Ports is at the discretion of the Admiralty. It is governed first by the exigencies of the Service, and, secondly, by the reasonable requirements of the officers. His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh was subject to, and complied with, the Regulations with regard to leave while holding the appointment of Commander-in-Chief at Devonport.
§ MR. KEARLEYI would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can give me specific details as to the amount of leave that the Duke has had year by year during the three years that he has held his appointment?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHIf hon. Members will read the last paragraph of my hon. Friend's question they will notice that he himself recognises that if the Commander-in-Chief conforms to the Service Regulations no further question arises.
§ MR. KEARLEYThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question I ask him can he state specifically whether His Royal Highness, while holding this command, has not had, on an average, six months' leave every year?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHCertainly not; and for such absence on leave as the Duke enjoyed the Admiralty are responsible, and they are prepared to bear that responsibility.
§ MR. A. C. MORTONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Regulations allowed of all these absences; and, if they did, what is the good of having an officer appointed at all?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI do not know what my hon. Friend means by referring to "all these absences." The Duke of Edinburgh was most assiduous in the performance of his duties.
§ MR. KEARLEYAm I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman objects to giving the total absence year by year of His Royal Highness whilst holding this command?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHIf my hon. Friend desires further information on the subject he will put a question upon the Paper.
§ MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)I desire to ask whether it is usual to publish the absences of other commanding officers; and whether there is any reason why there should be a special inquisitorial inquiry about the Duke of Edinburgh's absences?
§ MR. GIBSON BOWLES (King's Lynn)I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that the Duke of Edinburgh, having now become a Foreign Prince, has ceased to belong to the British Navy?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHA similar question has been put upon the Paper by the hon. Member for Peterborough, and the hon. Member has very kindly postponed it at my request. In reference to the other question, it is unusual to publish the number of days' leave of absence of the officers in command. If the hon. Member will put a question upon the Paper I will consider whether an answer can be given to it.
§ MR. KEARLEYI will put a question upon the Paper on the subject.