§ 51. Commander Marsdenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to the launching of the French battleship "Richelieu," when the inaugural ceremony was performed by Madame Mons in virtue of the fact that she was the mother of 10 French children, who were all present at the ceremony; and whether he will recommend to the Board of Admiralty that one of the ships now building for His Majesty's Navy should be launched with a similar ceremony?
§ Mr. ShakespeareMy Noble Friend understands that sympathetic consideration has been given to this suggestion, but so far it has been found impracticable to adopt it, in view of the many difficulties involved in making a satisfactory choice commanding general acceptance.
§ Commander MarsdenWhile thanking my hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask whether he realises how great a source of pleasure it would be to the men who build these ships if occasionally the wife of one of them were asked to officiate at a launch?
§ Mr. ShakespeareAs my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware, the normal practice is for the firm who build the ship to decide who shall launch it.