MISSION OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT TO INDIA. (Hansard, 6 December 1920)

§ Sir D. MACLEAN

I am certain the Committee very much appreciates the action of His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught in undertaking this mission to India. It is entirely typical of his unfailing devotion to public duty. We much regret that his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales is unable, owing to the strenuous nature of his very valuable and prolonged services in other parts of the Empire, to fulfil his contemplated mission to India; but we are quite confident that in so far as his place can be taken, it is amply and most efficiently taken by the Duke of Connaught. There is a footnote to the Vote which says that certain expenses in connection with the Vote will be defrayed from the Navy Vote. What is the total expense? If that can be communicated, I shall be glad.

§ Mr. BALDWIN

I may tell my right hon. Friend and the Committee that it does not mean that any further money will have to be asked of the Admiralty, but I am afraid that, until the journey is completed, it will be impossible to say what the expenses are. The only expenses that I can tell my right hon. Friend for certain are whatever the extra cost may be of the 1882 steamer which takes His Royal Highness to India over and above what she would have consumed had she been employed all the time. I understand that the Suez Canal dues will amount to £3,000, and there are being incurred certain expenses in providing suitable accommodation for the party, which numbers 13. That expenditure will probably be a matter of about £4,000. That is the whole of the information at present in my possession, but at a later date, I am sure, the total information will be obtainable from the Admiralty, when they know what the expenses of the journey are.