§ 26. Commander Purseyasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty who was responsible for a dance being given on Saturday, 5th May, in H.M.S. "St. Vincent", at Gosport, Hampshire; how many guests attended; what was the cost to naval funds; and how many naval and Royal Marine ratings respectively were employed for the dance.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingThis was a private dance given by the Captain, H.M.S. "St. Vincent", to 350 guests. There were no costs to public funds, and no Service personnel were employed.
§ Commander PurseyI thank the Civil Lord for that reply which was practically the same as the second Press statement made by Captain Tufnell. I may have to put down further Questions. Are all naval establishments available for such large-scale personal functions as the giving of coming-out dances for daughters? If so, what is the effect on the private enterprise hotel industry which the Tory Party is always out to support because it pays rates and taxes? Do petty officers and ratings have similar facilities for their dances, wedding parties, and bingo parties?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingI must admit to the hon. Member that I did not expect a supplementary question about private enterprise restaurants to come from him. Petty officers have held three dances each year and the chief petty officers have held a dance each year and there have been 15 or 20 other social occasions. Wedding receptions are quite often held in such establishments and I hope that they will continue to be held there, provided that such functions do not fall to be paid for out of public funds. The captain leaned over backwards to make sure that every single thing, including even the hire of the hall and the cost of the electricity, was paid for by himself and not out of public funds.