§ 23. Mr. SWANasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether British Naval forces are operating in the Caspian or on the rivers which drain into the Caspian or on the shores of the Caspian; who is the officer in command of these operations; at what date was the Caspian recognised as a special sphere of operations; what forces are opposed to our forces in the Caspian area; and whether any decision has been taken, or statement can be made, as to the conclusion of these operations?
§ Mr. LONGBritish Naval Forces are operating in the Caspian Sea. The officer in command is Commodore David T. Norris, C.B. These operations have been going on since August, 1918. The opposing force is a Bolshevik fleet consisting of a large number of armed merchant ships, destroyers, and submarines. The numbers are not accurately known. The operations in this area will be concluded, and our personnel will be withdrawn, before winter.
§ 26. Mr. ROBERT RICHARDSONasked who is in command of the British Naval Forces in the Black Sea; what powers besides Great Britain have at present naval units in the Black Sea; whether there is a commander-in-chief of the Allied naval forces in the Black Sea; and, if so, who that officer is?
§ Mr. LONGRear-Admiral Michael Culme Seymour, C.B., M.V.O., is in command of the British Naval Forces in the Black Sea and Marmora, under the orders of the British Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean. In the Black Sea are French and Italian Naval units. There is no Allied Commander-in-Chief.