§ 13. Lieut. -Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that no state of war exists between His Majesty and the Soviet Government of Russia, he will state why British men-of-war have been bombarding the Russian fortress of Kronstadt; and in what way this bombardment helps to protect the coasts of Esthonia or other friendly people?
§ Mr. LONGThe answer is, in order to disorganise the dockyard and naval base, and thereby prevent craft based on Kronstadt from attacking His Majesty's ships in Finnish and Esthonian waters.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we likely to be bombarding Kronstadt again for the same purpose, or is the policy changed?
§ Mr. LONGI cannot say. The discretion vests with the senior naval officer in command, in whom His Majesty's Government have the fullest possible confidence.
§ Captain WEDGWOOD BENNDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean that the Prime Minister's speech the other day does not mean a cessation of naval war in the Baltic?
§ Mr. LONGMy answer means nothing of the kind, nor is it fairly capable of such a construction in respect of the Prime Minister's speech.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we to understand that no fresh instructions have been sent to the Commanding Officer in the Baltic informing him of the change in the Government's policy?
§ Mr. LONGThe Prime Minister announced, as I had previously announced in answer to a question, that the Fleet in the Baltic was withdrawing, and that it would be entirely withdrawn shortly.
§ Sir D. MACLEANAre we to take it, then, that the announcement made by the Prime Minister the day before yesterday indicates no change on the part of the Government with regard to Russia?
§ Mr. LONGI think the right hon. Gentleman would do well to put any questions on the general policy of the Government to the Prime Minister, who is responsible for it. So far as I know there was nothing announced in the Prime Minister's speech which was not in absolute conformity with the declarations which have been made here on many occasions.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODI asked whether Kronstadt or any other Russian ports are going to be bombarded again by the British Fleet?
§ Mr. LONGThe British Fleet, as long as it is in the Baltic, will take such steps as the Commander-in-Chief thinks necessary to protect the men and the ships.