Since he's a naval officer, I suspect it was just a gentle leg pull!
A shame if Sunny Scampton should ever become a mere non-flying station. It's amazing how it managed to support 3 complete Vulcan squadrons of 50 aircrew each plus all their associated requirements including the storage of nuclear weapons. Yet seemingly there "isn't room" for TCW and its toys??
And wasn't it such a clever idea to flog off most of the housing.....