§ 18. Mr. MACMASTERasked whether the historical designation the "Grand Fleet" for His Majesty's ships of war will still be retained, and, if not, why not; whether the associations connected with the name of the Grand Fleet are too precious to have it set aside at this time; whether the distribution of the Grand Fleet in sub-divisions under such designations as, for example, the "Atlantic Squadron," the "Channel Squadron," the "Mediterranean Squadron," the "Chinese or Pacific Squadron," are incompatible with the retention of the designation the "Grand Fleet" for His Majesty's Navy as a whole, and whether the designation the "Home Fleet" rather suggests a Fleet in harbour than a Fleet in a state of war preparedness on the high seas?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe Grand Fleet has never been used, as my hon. Friend suggests, as a designation for His Majesty's ships of war as a whole. It has been used to designate our main Naval Force when it was concentrated under a single command and in a particular sphere of operations as one organisation; but a large part of the Navy throughout the War has not been included in the Grand Fleet.
It is not considered that respect for the associations connected with the name would be shown by using it with an entirely different signification, and one which, from a naval point of view, would be meaningless.
In the opinion of the Admiralty, the proper designation for the Navy as a whole is His Majesty's Navy, or, in contradistinction to foreign navies, the British Navy, both of which designations have associations that cannot be equalled. 2010 The Admiralty see no reason why the designation "Home Fleet" should be considered to suggest a Fleet in harbour, which is a signification which has never been attached to it. It suggests a Fleet whose normal cruising area is home waters.