71 and 72. Mr. EDMUND HARVEYasked (71) what is the maximum sum to which Treasury sanction has been given in order to provide for a visit to the Fleet by Members of both Houses of Parliament on the 9th July; (72) whether, in considering the estimates for the visit of Members of both Houses of Parliament to the Fleet on 9th July, the Treasury has considered the possibility of making some charge to the Members taking part in this visit and not placing it wholly upon the National Exchequer?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAs I informed the hon. Member for Carlisle on Monday last, the details of the cost to public funds of this visit are still under consideration. No definite sum has yet been sanctioned by the Treasury.
Mr. E. HARVEYIs it the fact that the Treasury has sanctioned this expenditure without stating any distinct sum?
§ Mr. MASTERMANCommunications are now passing between the Treasury and the Board of Admiralty as to what is to be done.
Mr. E. HARVEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the arrangements have-been made and the invitations, in fact, issued?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI am not aware of that at all. I am not aware of finality in any of the arrangements at present, not have I any knowledge of the proportion of Members of the House who have accepted the invitation.
Mr. E. HARVEYWill the right hon. Gentleman answer the second question as to the possibility of Members paying at least some part of the cost?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI think that subject is certainly worthy of consideration.