Shore Establishments (White Ensign)

HC Deb 08 November 1950 vol 480 c913

5. Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what ship's name is attached to Queen Anne's Mansions, S.W.1, in view of the fact that it flies the White Ensign and not the Admiralty flag.

Mr. Callaghan

None. Sir. The White Ensign may, with Admiralty approval, be worn ashore on buildings used for naval purposes. Such establishments need not necessarily be independently commissioned.

Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Bennett

Is not this naval establishment flying the White Ensign, and may it not, therefore, be expected to have flying somewhere a commissioning pennant? If not, is this because it is regarded as a tender, suitable to be hoisted up and carried on board some other stone frigate in London?

Air Commodore Harvey

Would the hon. Gentleman say when this building will be derequisitioned?

Mr. Callaghan

When the "ship" is "decommissioned."

Commander Galbraith

Is it not a fact that the people employed in this establishment are borne on the books of H.M.S. "President"?

Mr. Callaghan

I believe that to be so.