§ MR. D. JENKINSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, What Naval force can, in the event of hostilities between Russia and Turkey, be sent into the Black Sea, under existing Treaties, for the protection of British interests; whether it is true that at present only one British gunboat is stationed on the Danube, whereas by Treaty this country is entitled to station two; and whether, if this is the case, Her Majesty's Government intends taking steps to supply the deficiency without delay?
§ MR. BOURKEAs to the first part of the Question of the hon. Member, I have to state that, with the consent of the Porte, a naval force can be sent into the Black Sea. Then, with regard to the other part of the Question, I would state that, under the Treaty of Paris, two light vessels of each of the contracting Powers may be sent to the Danube for the purpose of securing the execution of the Danube Commission. Two vessels belonging to this country have been lately stationed in the Danube, but one was quite recently sent to Constantinople. If that vessel has not yet returned she will return very shortly. Then I may 1447 also add that in addition to the two vessels stationed in the Danube there is power under the Firmans which have from time to time been issued under the Treaty of 1841 to allow vessels of a certain character, called despatch-beats, to be sent to Constantinople for the service of the Embassies.