LORD MONKSWELLMy Lords, seeing my noble friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in his place, I beg to ask whether he is able to give the House any information with regard to the abandonment by the Fleet of the proposed visit to Russian ports.
THE UNDER - SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD FITZMAURICE)My Lords, it having been intimated to us by the Russian Government that, in view of the political situation in Russia, the presence of foreign ships in their ports might give rise to agitations and incidents connected with internal affairs, it has therefore been decided not to proceed with the cruise as had been intended His Majesty's Government much regret that this visit of the Fleet has to be postponed, the more so as there would be difficulties in rearranging the remaining part of the programme; and it has therefore been decided to give up the intended cruise to the Baltic altogether, including visits to other ports.