§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether an Order has been issued to the effect that friends of officers will be allowed on board the ships of the Fleet at the forthcoming naval review, but not on board the torpedo boat destroyers or torpedo boats; whether the modern destroyer of the "Amazon" class is a vessel of 1,000 tons, possessing ample accommodation for thirty or forty guests without involving any interference with the ceremonial; and whether, seeing that on previous occasions guests were allowed on boats of a much smaller size without any inconvenience being occasioned, and that, anticipating there would be no departure from the usual custom, a number of friends and relatives of torpedo officers have already taken apartments and made arrangements to be at Southsea for the review, in the event of the Admiralty not seeing their way to relax the Order in question, wives and other relatives of the officers concerned will be granted the use of one of the steamers provided for the various Government officials?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAThe regulations were drawn up after very careful consideration, and follow those under which previous naval reviews have been held. I regret it is not possible to relax the regulation in the direction suggested by my hon. Friend.