§ 49. Mr. SWANasked the Prime Minister whether the Italian Government has declared its opposition to the blockade in the Black Sea established by the Inter-Allied Admirals' Commission at Constantinople against Soviet Russia?
§ The PRIME MINISTERA communication on the subject of navigation in the Black Sea has been received from the Italian Ambassador (and His Majesty's Government are considering how far the views of the Italian Government can be 845 met consistently with the policy indicated in the reply given by the Lord Privy Seal to the hon. and gallant Member for Sea-ham (Major Hayward) on 3rd November.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it a fact that there is a blockade of any sort in the Black Sea, and, if so, how does he reconcile that with the declarations made by his Government on previous occasions in this House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI referred to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House, who has made it clear that the blockade has only reference to the carrying of arms to Turkey, to the Nationalists there. That must be stopped.
§ Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYBut is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in effect no peaceful merchant ship can go to any port under Soviet control owing to this blockade?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is certainly not intended, and I think it is not so.