§ 19. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will include the port of Stornoway, as in the past, among those northern ports to be visited by ships of the Fleet, in view of the dissatisfaction caused in the island, which sends many of its population to the Navy, at the proposal to cancel these visits?
Mr. CooperThe application from the civil authorities of Stornoway for a visit by His Majesty's Ships this year was not received until after the cruise programme of the Fleet had been settled, and though the request has been forwarded to the Commander-in-Chief, I doubt whether it will be possible to arrange at so late a date for the inclusion of such a visit. I can assure the hon. Member that any future request, provided it is received not later than 1st January, will receive careful consideration, together with similar requests from other towns, when the summer cruise programme for the year is being arranged.
§ Mr. MacMillanIn view of the great contribution which these islands make to the naval service will not the right hon. Gentleman give to Stornoway priority over many of these places, and will he not give this promise without requiring requests a year in advance?