§ 25. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the French Government recently proposed for sale at Marseilles a number of Russian war vessels, ice breakers, freight and passenger-carrying ships, tugs, and other vessels carried off by Wrangel in his flight from the Crimea; whether a note has been received from the Russian Government addressed to His Majesty's Government protesting against this sale of Russian property, and asserting the claim of the Russian Government to these vessels; whether British subjects have been warned against treating for the purchase of any of these vessels; and whether, in fact, any British subjects have purchased any of them?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Ronald McNeill)His Majesty's Government have received a Note from the Soviet Government protesting against the sale of these vessels. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative. I am unable to say whether British subjects have purchased any of the vessels.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWill the Government consider warning British subjects who may be ignorant of this Note against purchasing these vessels, otherwise they may be liable to seizure and it may lead to complications?
§ Mr. McNEILLI think one may presume that the purchasers of ouch property satisfy themselves as to the title of the vendor. It is not part of the duty of the Government to advise them.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes the hon. Gentleman remember that when he received a Note protesting against our vessels fishing in northern waters, he did not let the fishermen know and it led to all sorts of trouble; and will he let possible purchasers know about this Note, so as to save them possible trouble?
§ Mr. McNEILLI think the hon. and gallant Gentleman will probably let them know.