asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South, was not invited to an official meeting called by himself at Admiralty House, Portsmouth, on 16th December, to which the hon. Members for Portsmouth, North and Central, members of the Whitley Council and others received invitations; and, in view of the representations made by the hon. Member on behalf of various dockyard organisations, and of the Press publicity given, whether he will receive a report of the proceedings.

The meeting referred to by the hon. Member was a private one held to discuss specific matters raised by the hon. Member for Portsmouth, Central (Mr. Snow) and the hon. and gallant Member for Portsmouth, North (Major Bruce) following their visits to Portsmouth Dockyard during the summer recess. No invitation to be present at the meeting was therefore issued to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Sir J. Lucas) nor to any other hon. Member of the House. The answer to the second part of the Question is, "No."