§ 2.44 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether it is proposed to hold the customary Naval Review during the Coronation period.]
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR COMMONWEALTH RELATIONS (THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY)My Lords, I am glad to announce that Her Majesty the Queen has been pleased to approve that a Review of the Fleet be held at Spithead on the occasion of Her Majesty's Coronation. The necessary arrangements are being put in hand and they will be announced as soon as possible.
LORD TEYNHAMMy Lords, in thanking the noble Marquess for his gratifying reply, which I am sure all your Lordships are very pleased to hear, may I suggest that representative ships of the Merchant Navy, both large and small, should also have a chance of attending Her Majesty's Review?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I can assure the noble Lord that I will transmit his suggestion to the proper quarter. He will not expect me to go into it in detail to-day. In any case I can assure the House that particulars of all detailed arrangements will be made public as soon as possible.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI will pass that suggestion on, too.
LORD STRABOLGIMy Lords, may I ask the noble Marquess whether he will include amongst the merchant ships deep-sea trawlers and representatives of the inshore fishing fleet as well? Furthermore, may I ask whether, in accordance with custom, arrangements will be made for 383 Members of both Houses of Parliament to have facilities to attend the Review?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, with regard to the second part of the noble Lord's question, I am quite certain that that aspect will not be forgotten. With regard to the deep sea trawlers, I will pass that suggestion on also, but the noble Lord will realise that it is not for me to choose.