§ 28. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Prime Minister whether any negotiations have been proceeding be- 821 tween His Majesty's Government and the Government of Georgia for the lease, or use by other arrangement, of the harbour of Batum; and why Batum is being used as a base for British naval operations?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs informed the right hon Member for Platting on 1st November, no negotiations have been proceeding for the lease or use of the port of Batum, neither is Batum being used as a base for British naval operations.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether an Italian merchant vessel was not recently seized at sea and taken to Batum by British warships?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should like to have notice of that question.