§ 15. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any plans have boon drawn up for clearing the Eastern Baltic of mines after the ice clears; and whether it is intended to assist the Soviet Government of Russia in clearing the Gulf of Finland of mines by exchanging information as to the position of the minefields or in any other way?
§ Mr. LONGThe mine clearance of the Baltic, outside the Gulf of Finland, has been allotted to Germany. With regard to the Gulf of Finland, exchange of information as to the position of mines 2181 laid with the intention of safeguarding His Majesty's ships from attack by Bolshevik ships, will depend on the attitude of the Soviet Government towards the British naval vessels which may be in Baltic waters in the spring. It is not the intention to afford assistance in clearing the Gulf of Finland of mines, other than by such exchange of information.