§ 4. Mr. McENTEEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will include Southend-on-Sea among the towns to be visited by units of the Home Fleet this summer; whether any charge is made for visiting the ships at the various seaside resorts; and, if so, whether the receipts are devoted to naval charities?
§ The CIVIL LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Captain Euan Wallace)The programme of visits by His Majesty's Ships of the Home Fleet during the forthcoming summer cruise does not include a visit to Southend-on-Sea. Such programmes are arranged with due regard to the invitations received from the local authorities concerned before the 1st January in each year. No invitation from Southend-on-Sea for a visit during the forthcoming summer has been received. No charge is made for visiting His Majesty's Ships at any of the seaside resorts.
§ Mr. McENTEEIf such an invitation is received before next January, will the Admiralty be able to accept it?
§ Captain WALLACEIt will certainly be considered, but these visits are very popular, and we have a great many applications.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENWill my hon. and gallant Friend take care that the town of Campbeltown, in Kintyre, will not be omitted this year, as it is a seafaring town, where there are a great many fishermen, who are very interested in the Fleet, and it would do a great deal to help recruiting for the Navy?
§ Captain WALLACEPerhaps my hon. and learned Friend will put that question down.
§ Sir JOSEPH NALLIs it not a fact that people living at Southend-on-Sea can take the ferry boat to Sheerness at any time and see all the ships that they want to see?