London, Feb. 7
Now that the Home Fleet has taken over patrol duties in the western Mediterranean, it is understood that the total British destroyer strength in the Mediterranean is 45. Among the cruisers are the latest type Southampton and Newcastle. Both ships are equipped for anti-aircraft defence.
There was reason to believe that lhe pirate ships in the Mediterranean had their base on Majorca Island, said Mr. Anthony Eden, the Foreign Secretary, in the House of Commons to-day. He then outlined at length the measures to be taken to secure increased security for non-Spanish ships carrying on "their lawful trade the high seas."
Recent experience, he said, had shown that the Nyon measures, as at present applied, were insufficient.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.