§ 24. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what payment was made to the Egyptian authorities for the recent passage of the "Britannia" through the Suez Canal; and what was the time taken.
§ The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing)The payment was £647. Her Majesty's Yacht "Britannia" sailed through the Suez Canal in 16 hours 40 minutes.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary satisfied that the shortage of pilots has been overcome? At the time of the Suez crisis we were told that if the Suez Canal were nationalised and put into the hands of the Egyptians they would not have enough pilots? Was the pilot in this case a Russian or an Egyptian? How does it come about that the First Lord of the Admiralty let this expensive ship go through in this way?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingI do not think that that arises from the Question on the Order Paper.