§ MR. A. SHORTasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the total number of ships and naval ratings now operating in the Baltic; at what date reinforcements have been sent; what was the strength of these reinforcements; and whether it is the intention to withdraw these ships immediately?
§ Mr. LONGFor obvious reasons, it is not desirable, while operations are still in progress, to publish the strength of forces engaged in them; neither is it desirable to publish information as to reinforcements. In retaining ships hitherto in the Eastern Baltic the Admiralty have been acting in accordance with the general policy of the Government and the obvious needs of the situation; but, so far as this area is concerned, climatic conditions will shortly necessitate their withdrawal. I might point out that the presence of His Majesty's ships at Scandinavian and German ports in the Baltic, as well as at ports of the former Russian Empire, may be called for from time to time in future.