HC Deb 26 November 1947 vol 444 cc1972-3
24. Sir R. Ross

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what arrangements have been made by the Soviet Government for the return of H.M.S. "Royal Sovereign" and U.S.S. "Milwaukee" under the terms on which they were lent.

Mr. Dugdale

The Naval Protocol to the Italian Peace Treaty signed on 10th February, 1947, lays down that the return of the U.S.S. "Milwaukee" and H.M.S. "Royal Sovereign" and other British warships shall, as far as possible, be effected simultaneously with the transfer to the Soviet Union of the excess units of the Italian Fleet allocated to her. The arrangements for the transfer both of Italian ships to the Allies and of British and American warships from, the Soviet Union are being considered by a Four Power Naval Commission set up by the Protocol and now meeting in Rome.

Sir R. Ross

Has the Soviet Union taken analogous steps by freeing surplus Italian warships from being handed over to them, as have been taken by the United States and this country?

Mr. Dugdale

That is another question.