HC Deb 26 June 1934 vol 291 cc960-1
25. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when and why he authorised the visit of a section of the British Fleet to Swinemund, in Germany?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lord Stanley)

The visit to Swinemund, as well as to other German ports, was approved in April last, in the course of the ordinary consideration of the proposals of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, for the annual summer cruise.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

May I ask whether this special recognition, this act of friendliness, in regard to a Government of which you do not approve and which is not friendly to us at the present time, is desirable?

Lord STANLEY

I have already said that it is in the normal routine of the summer cruise.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is it not possible to make the normal routine of friendly cruises to friendly countries instead of to potentially enemy countries?

Mr. MAXTON

Could they do anything in the way of collecting the debts when they are over there?