63. Mr. Dugdaleasked the First Lord of the Admiralty on whose authority a detachment of Sea Cadets attended the horse show and gymkhana organised by the East Surrey Conservative Association on Saturday, 12th September
§ Mr. J. P. L. ThomasThe six Sea Cadets who attended this horse show did so, not as a detachment, but as individual personal guests of one of the judges at the show. This gentleman has no connection with the East Surrey Conservative Association but is a member of the committee of the Caterham Sea Cadet Unit and invited these cadets to attend and assist him personally in his work.
Mr. DugdaleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have in my hand a letter from his Private Secretary, who states that according to his information the horse show had no connection with a political party at all; and that I also have in my hand a programme headed "East Surrey Conservative Association"?
§ Mr. ThomasI have made inquiries. We were given an answer which suggests that possibly these sea cadets might not have realised that it was a political show. I would have written to the Secretary of the Labour Party concerned pointing out that we had made a mistake, as we had discovered after inquiries seeking fuller details, but as the right hon. Gentleman had put a Question down I had to wait and first give him this answer. I welcome the opportunity of being able to do so.