§ MR. J. H. LEWIS (Flint Boroughs)To ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information which he can communicate to the House as to the steps which are being taken to safeguard the lives and property of British residents in Odessa and to protect British shipping in that port.
(Answered by Earl Percy.) His Majesty's Consul-General at Odessa is in communication with the local authorities, who have shown themselves desirous of doing all in their power to protect British and other foreign residents. It is believed that no one has been hurt on board British ships, and the Consul-General has been informed that the masters are at liberty to move their vessels outside the port if they think it necessary. His Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburg, who is in telegraphic communication with the Consul-General, has been informed by the Russian Government that a portion of the Black Sea Squadron has been ordered to proceed to Odessa. His Majesty's Government think it unnecessary to make any further representations to the Russian Government, who are clearly taking all the measures in their power for the protection of life and property and the restoration of order.