HC Deb 13 November 1929 vol 231 cc2011-2
16. Commander SOUTHBY

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the reason for the alteration in the programme of His Majesty's Ship "Despatch," the flagship of the Commander-in-Chief, North America and West Indies Station, whereby the contemplated visit to a United States port was recently cancelled?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. A. V. Alexander)

The original date of the visit of His Majesty's Ship "Despatch" to United States ports would have clashed with the visit of the Prime Minister, and it was regarded as inexpedient that the United States authorities should be asked to consider arrangements for both visits to take place at the same time. No other date for the visit of His Majesty's Ship "Despatch" could be conveniently arranged.