§ 54. Mr. MAXTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty at whose instance His Majesty's Ship "Valiant"is visiting certain holiday resorts on the Clyde; what is the additional cost of maintaining this ship on this tour; and what was its total cost of construction?
The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell)His Majesty's Ship "Valiant"has been visiting certain places on the Clyde in accordance with the programme arranged by the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, for the Fleet generally during its summer cruise, and approved by the Admiralty. These visits are greatly appreciated, and it is impossible fully to meet all the requests for them which are received. No additional cost is involved in the maintenance of ships during the summer cruise. The total cost of His Majesty's Ship "Valiant"was £2,700,037.
§ Mr. MAXTONCan the right hon Gentleman tell me what holiday resort on the Clyde requested a visit from one of His Majesty's ships?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLIf the hon. Member will put the question down, I shall be very glad to give him the information. I can hardly keep pace with the present demands.
§ Mr. MAXTONI did put it down. The question that I put down was to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty if he could state at whose instance His Majesty's Ship "Valiant"is visiting certain holiday 1681 resorts on the Clyde. The reply of the First Lord was that it was on the instructions of the Admiralty. Now he says that there are many requests. I ask him which places on the Clyde made a request for the visit of the "Valiant"?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLI will tell the hon. Member. We do not have to wait for a request before the Admiralty sends a ship to any port in this country. Such a visit is certainly appreciated by tile huge majority of the people.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs it not the case that I have asked the right hon. Gentleman repeatedly to send ships to Campbeltown, Oban and elsewhere, and also to Tobermory?