Royal Yacht

Lord Wallace of Saltaire Excerpts

Wednesday 26th October 2016 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

I am sorry that the noble Lord feels it appropriate to talk down the armed services, but I can give him the assurance that he needs.

[Lord Wallace of Saltaire (LD)]

My Lords, given that the Royal Navy is already short of manpower, it is quite likely that any royal yacht would have to be manned by people recruited from abroad. Does the Minister consider that we would do better to recruit them from within the European Union, or given that this is a more traditionally imperial matter, from Calcutta and Hong Kong?

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, there are strict criteria for personnel joining the Royal Navy and I am sure that the noble Lord knows what they are.