§ 123. Mr. Teelingasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the lack of organisation at Greenwich during the Victory celebrations, of which he has been informed, what arrangements are made for civilians to see over naval ships visiting ports in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Mr. DugdaleArrangements for visits to His Majesty's ships at ports in Great Britain and Northern Ireland are normally made between the commanding officer and the local authorities, who are always given advance warning. Normal visiting hours are 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The shore organisation is the responsibility of the local authorities. Ship's boats are not usually employed to transport visitors to ships which are not lying alongside, as their number is quite inadequate. If very large numbers wish to visit ships, some must inevitably be disappointed as the accommodation on board is limited. This was, in fact, the case at Greenwich, where the crowds far exceeded anything that had been expected.