HC Deb 06 December 1933 vol 283 cc1630-1
2. Mr. ISAAC FOOT

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that no one of His Majesty's ships now in commission is named after Admiral Blake; and if one of the new cruisers can be named "Blake," in commemoration of the eminent services of that great seaman?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell)

The new cruisers belong to classes, the ships of which have names drawn from classical mythology. In these circumstances, it is not practicable to give one of them the name of Blake, but the hon. Member may rest assured that this illustrious name will not be overlooked if a suitable opportunity occurs for reviving it.

Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMS

Will the right hon. Gentleman also consider, in due course, naming a ship "Brewer," after the great Oliver Cromwell?

Mr. FOOT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is a repetition of a very stale lampoon which ought to have died in the seventeenth century?