§ Mr. Mahonasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is aware of the concern of Merseysiders for the future of H.M.S. "Starling" which, under the command of the late Captain F. J. Walker, R.N., set sail from Bottle out into the Atlantic in the hunt for Grand Admiral Doenitz' U-Boats and returned again to the port of Bootle; and if he will consider representations from the County Borough of Bootle with a view to H.M.S. "Starling" returning to Bootle as a Royal Naval Mersey Museum or Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve drill ship or for other maritime educational purposes.
§ Mr. HayRepresentations have been made from various sources that H.M.S. "Starling" should be preserved. Two ship has already had equipment removed in preparation for scrapping, and the cost of restoring her to her war-time state would probably be heavy. I regret that neither this cost nor the cost of subsequent maintenance could be borne by the Defence Vote.
We would, however, be ready to consider any offers from Merseyside for her purchase.