§ 16. Mr. R. RICHARDSONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the numbers and descriptions of British ships now operating in the Baltic?
§ 19. Commander Viscount CURZONasked whether the composition of the British naval force operating in the Baltic can be announced; whether arrangements are or can be made to supply them with fresh provisions and mails; and whether it is intended to retain this force in the Baltic during the winter months?
§ Mr. LONGAs active operations are still in progress, it is not desirable to give information as to the composition of the British naval force operating in the 1472 Baltic, nor to say how long that force is to be retained there. Arrangements for the supply of fresh provision and for mails have been made.
§ Viscount CURZONIs it a fact that there is only one destroyer supply ship, and she is at Copenhagen, and that the destroyers in consequence are kept on salt water and biscuits while operating in the Baltic?
§ Mr. LONGIt must be obvious that I cannot answer a question of that sort without notice; but I think the hon. Member's information is not up to date. The difficulties have been very great, due to causes over which we had no control; but I think these difficulties have now been remedied and the present situation is quite satisfactory.
§ 21. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the approximate cost of the naval operations carried on in the Baltic and Mack Seas, respectively, since the Armistice with Germany; whether a British naval force is still operating in the Caspian Sea; and if it is intended to withdraw these forces before the end of the present financial year?
§ Mr. LONGThe approximate cost of the Baltic operations is £4,000,000; and of those in the Black Sea, £1,986,000; this latter does not include the cost of mine-clearance. No British force is now operating in the Caspian Sea. It is probable that the remaining operations will be concluded before the end of the present financial year.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes the cost of the operations in the Baltic include the capital value of the ships lost?
§ Mr. LONGNo. It includes the actual cost of operations. It does not make allowance for ships lost.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan I have the information?