HC Deb 19 July 1939 vol 350 cc419-20W
Mr. Cocks

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether in view of the British agreements with Turkey, Greece and Rumania and our friendship with Russia and Bulgaria, it is proposed to send units of the Mediterranean fleet on a courtesy visit to Athens, Istanbul, Varna, Constantza and Odessa?

Mr. Shakespeare

Certain of His Majesty's ships visited Athens earlier this month, and visits to other Greek ports will take place shortly. The Commander- in-Chief, Mediterranean, will be visiting Istanbul in his flagship early in August, and another battleship will at the same time visit Smyrna.

No arrangements have yet been made for visits to Rumanian, Russian or Bulgarian ports, but visits to these countries will be considered when future programmes are arranged.