§ 18. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, when His Majesty's Ship "Hood" re-commissions after her prospective refit, it is intended to man her with a Portsmouth crew; and whether he is aware that this prospect is causing great anxiety in Devonport, seeing that, besides being a sentimental loss, it will mean a material loss to the traders in the town?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Bridgeman)The port from which H.M.S. "Hood" will be manned after her prospective refit has not yet been decided, but it will probably be Portsmouth. This change, if made, will be part of corresponding changes in the manning of capital ships, which will leave the existing balance of manning between the two ports practically unchanged.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the con siderations mentioned in the question when he comes to take his decision?