HC Deb 27 February 1893 vol 9 cc438-9
COLONEL HOWARD VINCENT (Sheffield, Central)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can explain why several hundred tons of costly foreign oils are annually used on Her Majesty's ships for the general lubrication of machinery in preference to British made compound oil used for like purposes by the great steamship lines of the United Kingdom, who thereby not only give employment to Home industry, but also effect an economy of some 40 per cent. in expenditure?

THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH,) Lancashire, Clitheroe

The only oils considered suitable for lubricating the machinery of Her Majesty's ships are mineral oils, distilled from American petroleum, and olive oil, neither of which are British products. Compound oils are largely used in practice; but the compounding is done after the pure oils are purchased, and thus an economy is secured. The contract for the supply of mineral oil for the Navy for 1893–94 has been placed with the Dee Oil Company, a British firm. Olive oil is imported direct.