§ *MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, under the present distribution of the Fleet, any warship of any description patrols the Persian Gulf.
§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSONUnder present arrangements the Gunboats "Redbreast" and "Lapwing" and the special-service vessel "Sphinx" are told off for special service in Indian waters, and their principal duties are in the Persian Gulf. Visits to the Gulf are also made by other ships of the East Indies squadron from time to time. At present the "Sphinx" and "Lapwing" are in the Persian Gulf.