§ 13. Mr. BOOTHBYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider making a financial contribution towards the annual expenses for maintenance and repairs of the number of drifters which will be required for Admiralty purposes in the event of war?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Lord Stanley)I regret that I cannot hold out to my hon. Friend any hope of subsidising any part of the drifter fleet from naval funds.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYDoes not my Noble Friend see the danger, unless some form of assistance is forthcoming, of losing a class of seamen who may be absolutely essential to the security of this country in the event of war, and will he reconsider this matter from the point of view of the value of the personnel?
Lord STANLEYFrom the Admiralty point of view all sections of the fishing fleet and of the mercantile marine are equally important, and it is difficult to discriminate by giving subsidies to one section and not to all of them.
§ Mr. BOOTHBYWill the Noble Lord consider giving subsidies to the whole lot?