HC Deb 16 July 1934 vol 292 cc774-5
33. Mr. MAINWARING

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the cost of the two destroyers which have been placed at the disposal of the ex-King of Bulgaria in order to join the Ornithological Congress visit to bird sanctuaries off the Welsh coast will entirely be borne out of the public purse?

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

This question is based on a misapprehension. No destroyer has been placed at the disposal of the ex-King of Bulgaria. During the recent International Ornithological Congress, attended by the representatives of 25 nations, and held in this country for the first time for nearly 30 years, two destroyers were detailed to convey some members of the Congress to certain islands off the coast of Pembrokeshire. Only a. slight modification of the normal programme of the destroyers was involved, and there was no additional expense to public funds.

Mr. MAINWARING

Will the First Lord tell us the number on board these two vessels and the time they remained there?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL

If the hon. Member will put that question down, I shall be very glad to answer it. I will content myself with saying now that we have received many courtesies at this Congress when we have visited abroad, and I am only too glad to be able to repay them. I think these small international courtesies do more to promote international good will than anything else.