§ 9. Mr. D. Footasked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty what information he received from the Russian authorities regarding the Russian naval manoeuvres in northern waters and the English Channel.
§ Mr. C. Ian Orr-EwingNone, Sir.
§ Mr. FootArising out of that reply, does not the Minister agree that the appearance of Russian warships in the English Channel, as reported in the Press a few days ago, must be a matter of concern to the people of this country? Will he give the House any information derived from any source as to the number and types of craft involved?
§ Mr. Orr-EwingI cannot give details of the numbers and types involved in the exercises in general. One cruiser and one destroyer went up the English Channel. This is the right of sailing on the high seas. I do not think that I can interfere with that.
§ Mr. G. R. HowardDoes not the Prime Minister accept that, while agreeing with the point behind the Question of the hon. and learned Member for Ipswich (Mr. D. Foot), it would be better not to say too much about this, as any inquiries or observations which we might have made about the Russians are better kept to ourselves?