HC Deb 22 June 1927 vol 207 c1830
17. Mr. WOMERSLEY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the Regulations governing the concession to British merchant ships to fly the Blue Ensign?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

The main conditions on which the Admiralty insist before granting a warrant to a merchant ship to fly the Blue Ensign are that the commanding officer should be a retired officer of the Royal Navy or Royal Australian Navy or an officer of one of the Royal Naval Reserve Forces; and that the crew must in addition contain eight officers or men with similar naval or Naval Reserve qualifications. The Regulations in full are contained in the King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, Article 126. I am sending my hon. Friend a pamphlet on the subject.

Mr. WOMERSLEY

Is an officer serving in the Navy during the War entitled to the same privilege?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

I should like notice of that question.

Commander WILLIAMS

Does it contain any regulation that the bulk, at any rate, of the seamen must be British-born subjects?

Lieut.-Colonel HEADLAM

I will do the same to my hon. and gallant Friend as to my hon. Friend the Member for Grimsby (Mr. Womersley); I will send him a copy of the pamphlet.