§ Mr. CLYNESasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government is negotiating with the Georgian Government with a view to leasing the port of Batoum for a long period; if so, what is the object of such a lease; and whether the Government has in mind any movement with a view to securing the Baku oilfields?
Mr. HARMSWORTHThe answer is in the negative. The right hon. Gentleman has presumably been misled by unfounded statements issued by the Soviet Government at Moscow, who recently circulated a wireless report to the same effect. Through the same channel of wireless telegraphy, His Majesty's Government issued an authoritative denial, which was also published in the Press on 23rd October.