§ MR. LAMBERT (Devonshire, South Molton)To ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the numbers of British and international troops respectively occupying Crete; under whose command are these troops; for what purpose are they there; and how long will they remain.
(Answered by Earl Percy.) The number of British troops in the island is 923, of French 480, who are about to receive a reinforcement of 200, of Italian 290, and of Russian 630, exclusive of 320 troops who are on their way. The British troops are under the command of the senior British officer, who acts with the advice of His Majesty's Consul-General. Should the troops be engaged in joint operations with the Foreign contingents the senior officer present, irrespective of nationality, will assume command. The international troops are maintained in Crete for the purpose of enabling the protecting Powers properly to fulfil the obligations assumed by them at the time when their intervention secured the autonomy of the island, and the withdrawal of the Turkish troops.