HC Deb 01 March 1967 vol 742 cc497-8
33. Mr. Pardoe

asked the Secretary of State for Defence why 20 officers of H.M.S. "Tiger" were put ashore at Gibraltar before Mr. Smith came aboard; and what were their countries of origin.

Mr. Foley

To make room for the three delegations of the Prime Minister, the Governor of Rhodesia and Mr. Smith. The 20 officers who were disembarked included all 12 midshipmen then serving in H.M.S. "Tiger", two of whom were Ghanaian. All the other officers were British.

Mr. Pardoe

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask whether he can now deny that in fact Ghanaian and Nigerian midshipmen were put ashore for the reason which is implied in his answer, that they were coloured?

Mr. Foley

I can certainly deny it. There were 12 midshipmen serving on board this ship. They were all put ashore because a classroom which they used was required as a temporary wardroom. It just so happened that two of them were Ghanaian. [HON. MEMBERS: "Withdraw."]

Mr. Pardoe

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. I asked the hon. Gentleman to deny it, he has denied it, and I accept his denial.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Does the hon. Gentleman recall that, during the 1964 General Election campaign, in his now infamous speech at Plymouth the Prime Minister criticised the previous Administration for having allowed H.M.S. "Tiger" to become nothing more than a floating office? Did it not have its uses for him?

Mr. Foley

It was a very good floating office. It is a pity that the conclusions were not better.