HC Deb 07 November 1962 vol 666 cc951-2
7. Mr. Reynolds

asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty by what authority consent was given to the provision by Sea Cadets of a guard of honour at the Digswell Conservative Association garden party in July, 1962.

Mr. C. Ian Orr-Ewing

I find that this guard of honour of one officer and eight cadets was arranged through a misunderstanding by the unit's commanding officer. This unit with the title T.S. "Amethyst" was anxious to honour its president my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for The Hartlepools (Commander kerans) who happened to be opening the fete. One of the standing regulations of the Sea Cadet Council is that no unit of the Corps may take part in any function of a political nature. All those concerned are being reminded of this regulation. I am sorry that this regulation should have been accidentally transgressed.

Mr. Reynolds

I welcome that statement from the Civil Lord and I am glad to hear that the people concerned are being reminded of the orders. Will he take steps to ensure that people in other parts of the country are made aware of the orders in case a similar thing should happen elsewhere?

Mr. Orr-Ewing

Yes, Sir.

Lord Balniel

Is my hon. Friend aware that this pedantic Parliamentary Question has taken away a great deal of the pleasure that these boys felt in welcoming to their village my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for The Hartlepools (Commander Kerans), in honour of whose heroic battle in H.M.S. "Amethyst" they have named their own branch?

Commander Kerans

I regret that I was personally responsible for allowing the organisers of this fete to be put in touch with the unit concerned. I sincerely apologise to my noble Friend the Member for Hertford (Lord Balniel) and to my hon. Friend the Civil Lord of the Admiralty.