§ MR. COLLINSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, during the armistice reported to have been concluded by the representatives of Russia and Turkey, the blockade of the Black Sea is to be suspended, so as to admit the right of free ingress and egress to the Mercantile Shipping of Neutral Nations; and, in the event of a renewal of hostilities, what would be the position of such shipping if employed under charters between Black Sea ports?
§ MR. BOURKESir, a telegram has been received to-day at the Foreign Office from Mr. Layard, saying that the blockade of the Black Sea would be raised according to the terms of the Convention which has been signed, we believe, between Russia and Turkey, and communication will be re-opened with Odessa. With regard to the last part of the Question of the hon. Member—that is, as to the resumption of hostilities—I am not able to answer that Question until the event arises; but Her Majesty's Government will not fail to make all information public which they have in their possession from time to time upon the subject, and will not fail to do their best that British commerce shall be protected.