§ 22. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a British cruiser was sent to Greece to give a passage to Prince Andrew of Greece after his trial; by whose orders and for what reason was a warship used for this purpose; and what is the estimated cost of this service?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Amery)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The vessel was sent by the Admiralty, at the request of His Majesty's Government, as a possible means of saving the lives of Prince and Princess Andrew of Greece which, at the time, were believed to be in jeopardy. The estimated cost is about £1,200.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWhen this Prince had been tried and sentenced to banishment had not the danger evaporated? Why then was it necessary to use a British cruiser for this purpose at the risk of offending the present Government of Greece, and of estranging the democracy of the country?
§ Viscount CURZONIs not the lady referred to the sister of a distinguished naval officer in our own service?
§ Mr. BUCHANANWould the ship have been sent by the Admiralty had it been the case of two Greek peasants?
§ Mr. N. MACLEANOught not a sentence of banishment imposed upon a Greek citizen to be carried into operation by the Greek Navy; ought it not to provide the necessary facilities rather than the British Navy sending a boat across?
§ Mr. AMERYI have pointed out in my answer that a boat had already been sent. The reception of Prince and Princess was a matter of courtesy which we, on many occasions, extended to others.