§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Prime Minister if he will take steps to ensure that the royal yacht Britannia is made available for visits by residents in Thames boroughs during the vessel's last voyage along the Thames. [14214]
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 4 November 1997]HMY Britannia will be moored in the Pool of London from 13 to 21 November. During that time a large number of visitors will be invited to attend charitable and other events on board, and the fullest possible access is being arranged for local and national media. This approach, involving maximum use of the yacht for organised visits and events, has been adopted throughout the yacht's final tour of the British Isles; whilst she is still operational it is not safe or practicable to arrange unrestricted access for members of the public. HMY Britannia will sail under floodlight on the evening of 21 November, arriving in Portsmouth the following day to begin de-storing and other preparations for paying-off.