§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty why in the Navy Estimates Programme the column headed "Coal Capacity at Load Draught—Radius of Action at 10 knots Speed," which was filled in in the Navy Estimates of 1890–91, was left blank in 1891–92 and in 1892–93, and why this column has been omitted altogether in the present Estimates; and whether there is any objection to furnishing this information before the Shipbuilding Vote is taken; and, if so, why?
THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY (Sir U. KAY-SHUTTLE-WORTH, Lancashire, Clitheroe)The basis originally used for results given in this column was proved by experience to be incorrect. This was the reason for omitting the information in 1891–92 and 1892–93. Extensive trials have been made in typical vessels to determine actual rates of coal consumption. The results are of great value to the Navy, but it is not considered desirable to publish them. They are special to warships, and could only be of service to other Navies, and not to our Mercantile Marine.