MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the statement that the vessel in which two 1455 alleged French spies were arrested in n German port was a British yacht, wearing at the time the British blue ensign; whether any steps will be taken to secure the observance of the Queen's Regulations and of the statute, by ascertaining from time to time whether vessels wearing the white or blue ensign are entitled to do so by Admiralty warrant, and by prosecuting offenders; and whether the Admiralty will consider the propriety of absolutely restricting the use of the white and blue ensigns to vessels in the Public Service, and the propriety of refusing in future to purely private vessels, whether yachts or traders, any warrants authorising them to wear any other than the red ensign?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHThe answer to the first paragraph is, "No." The Regulations provide for the procedure under which officers may act in case of suspicion attaching to vessels improperly using the white or blue ensign. There is no intention of altering the Regulation under which yachts and other authorised vessels fly it.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESIs there any intention of carrying out the Regulations? Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly answer the third paragraph of the question?
MR. GIBSON BOWLESHow is it yachts are allowed to bear improper colours without the question being raised by the Admiralty?
SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTHI am unable to confirm the information given to the House by the hon. Member.