§ MR. BRADLAUGH (Northampton)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether he is aware that, in the naval exercises, the whereabouts of the hostile Fleet was ascertained by Commodore Fitzroy in consequence of the dense smoke emitted; what coal is used by the Admiralty for the men-of-war; what reason exists for not using best smokeless Cardiff coal; and, whether that coal 51 is not equally efficient for steam purposes?
THE SECRETARY (Mr. FORWOOD)(who replied) (Lancashire, Ormskirk); said: The best South Wales steam coal is alone supplied at all Home ports and at the principal foreign Naval Stations to the Fleet. Especial care is exercised in selecting only good collieries from which to obtain supplies; and in revising the list this year we were afforded valuable information from the experience of the largest English Mail Steamship Companies. No Report has yet been received that enables us to account for the smoke reported to have been emitted from some vessels taking part in the manœuvres; but it is quite probable it arose from in perfect combustion caused by a vessel lying under a low head of steam suddenly endeavouring to force the fires and charging the furnaces too rapidly with fresh coal.