§ 25. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty how many officers and men will be employed on H.M. Yacht "Britannia" during its forthcoming cruise; and what is the esimated weekly cost of their pay.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingTwenty officers and 237 ratings will be on board; the estimated weekly cost of their pay is £4,000. This complement serves in the Yacht throughout the time she is in commission and no extra expenditure on pay arises from the forthcoming cruise.
§ Mr. HughesIs the Civil Lord not aware that this is rather a large sum of money to be spent on one honeymoon couple, when the Government are urging us to be restrained and cautious in public expenditure in order to avoid inflation? Is it not necessary that there should be some regard to economy in the most ancient of our nationalised industries? Could the hon. Gentleman tell us the total cost involved?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingThe decision to build "Britannia" was taken by Earl Attlee's Government in October, 1951, and the decision was endorsed by the Conservative Government which followed.
§ Mr. HughesFor use as a hospital ship.
§ Mr. Orr-EwingThe pay of officers and men arises directly out of that decision and is not according to the use which is made of "Britannia" or where she goes. I should have thought that it was the general view of this House that after the manifold duties which Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret undertakes at home and in the Commonwealth, she should on this occasion enjoy a very happy voyage.
§ Mr. HughesIn view of the unsatisfactory and misleading nature of that reply, I give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.