§ Mr. GRETTONasked whether the time devoted to exhibitions and displays of His Majesty's fleets in Home waters is deducted from the time during mobilisation which would otherwise be spent in sea training, or if these exhibitions occupy time additional to the ordinary period of mobilisation; and, if the latter, what is the cost to the nation?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe inspection at Spit-head was, and the visit to the Thames and the review in the Solent, will be composed of ships fully commissioned, and not mobilised ships. These functions in no way interfere with the sea training of the vessels.
§ Mr. GRETTONWill the right hon. Gentleman explain what he means by ships in full commission not mobilised?
§ Mr. McKENNAFully commissioned ships are ships with full crews, and not ships with nucleus crews or specially filled up for the occasion.
§ Mr. GRETTONWhat is the cost of all this over the ordinary sea training?
§ Mr. McKENNAThese ships would not necessarily be at sea during the time the review is taking place. They might be in some harbour; they would not all be in the same harbour. It is impossible to say what the additional cost would be. The hon. Member must understand that ships are not always at sea.
§ Mr. McKENNAIt would be impossible to say. I have no doubt there is some, naturally, because all the ships are centred in the Solent instead of some at Portsmouth and some at Devonport, to which they have to return. It is impossible to say what the cost would be, but it is not serious.