§ 5. Sir A. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information regarding the landing of German troops at Abo, in Finland?
§ Mr. EdenAccording to our information, three German transports arrived at Abo on 27th April with about 1,500 men. Several further vessels are said to have 830 arrived at Abo since that date with men, military stores and material; but the total of those latter shipments is not certain.
§ Sir A. KnoxWas this incursion made at the invitation of the Finnish Government or not?
§ Mr. EdenThere is a Finnish-German agreement made last year for the transit of troops to Norway. It may be that the Finnish Government agreed under the terms of that agreement.
§ Sir A. KnoxSurely the most direct route is through Sweden to Narvik, where they sent troops previously? Are they going to the nickel mines at Petsamo?
§ Mr. EdenI am obliged for the question, which I think will be most useful in Finland as well as here. On that point, I cannot answer.