Captain Cazaletasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the House any information concerning the visit of Admiral Sir Roger Backhouse to Valencia; whether the admiral was authorised to make any official statement of political significance to the Valencia Government; and whether similar courtesy visits will be paid to the authorities in other Spanish ports?
1792W
Lord StanleyThe visit of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, to Valencia in His Majesty's ship "Nelson" was made on the occasion of the Home Fleet taking over the duties off the coast of Spain which had previously been undertaken by the Mediterranean Fleet. His Majesty's ship "Nelson" arrived at Valencia at 11 a.m. on the 29th January, and left on the same day at 6 p.m. During the visit, at the suggestion of His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires, the Commander-in-Chief paid unofficial calls on the Prime Minister and Minister of Marine, and these calls were returned informally. No political significance attaches to the visit, which the Commander-in-Chief would naturally make in order to acquaint himself of the position at first hand and to discuss matters personally with His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires. Similar visits have since been paid to Barcelona and Palma.