HC Deb 03 December 1930 vol 245 cc2201-2
17. Mr. HORE-BELISHA

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that His Majesty's Ship "Cornwall" was built, launched, manned, and commissioned at Devonport, he car reconsider the decision to recommission this ship at Portsmouth, so that His Majesty's Ship "Cornwall" may remain a Devon-port ship

Mr. ALEXANDER

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member on 16th April last, the change has for its object the reduction of the time spent by Devonport ratings on foreign service, which has recently been in excess of the normal proportions. I think that is more important than the point of view to which expression is given in the hon. Member's question.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the strong sentiment in the West Country regarding this decision? They feel that the ship should be recommissioned at Devonport as it was built at Devonport.

Mr. ALEXANDER

There seems to be a little misunderstanding in the West Country that we are taking this ship away. It must be remembered that we are merely exchanging ships. They are getting the "Dorsetshire" instead of the "Cornwall."

Mr. MACLEAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman follow up that sentiment and see that ships which are built on the Clyde are also repaired on the Clyde?