HC Deb 13 March 1894 vol 22 c140
MR. GIBSON BOWLES

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the statement in The Daily Telegraph of 22nd February, that the British steamer Baku Standard had arrived at Philadelphia after having crossed the Atlantic propelled by steam generated from oil fuel alone; whether any experiments are now being carried out with a view to ascertaining the adaptability of oil fuel to Her Majesty's ships; and whether he can now state what conclusion the Admiralty have arrived at with regard to the use of this fuel?

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

Nothing is known at the Admiralty of the statement to which the hon. Gentleman refers. No experiments with oil fuel are now going on in Her Majesty's ships; nor have any new conclusions been arrived at by the Admiralty on the subject since my answers to the hon. Member's previous questions.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Does the right hon. Baronet propose to introduce any experiments, or to pay any attention whatever to this matter?

SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

I informed the hon. Member on the 11th of September that oil fuel had frequently been experimented with, both in foreign countries and at home, and that the Admiralty were closely watching the results.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

What conclusion has been arrived at?

SIR U. KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH

No new conclusions have been arrived at.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

No conclusion at all?

[No answer was given.]