HC Deb 06 May 1931 vol 252 cc374-5
20. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the circumstances in which certain British vessels are visiting Kiel as the guests of the German Government; and whether it is proposed to extend a similar invitation to German vessels to visit British waters?

Mr. ALEXANDER

Following on several visits by ships of the German Navy to British ports in the Dominions, the German Government have suggested that they would be glad to welcome His Majesty's ships at their ports. An informal visit to Kiel by His Majesty's Ships "Dorsetshire" and "Norfolk" has accordingly been included in the programme of the Baltic cruise of the Atlantic Fleet, and it is hoped that visits to ports in the United Kingdom will be paid by ships of the German Navy when their programmes permit.