§ SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)To ask the 9 Secretary to the Admiralty whether commissioned cruisers were employed in towing to their new berths the less valuable warships recently set aside, and what amount of coal was expended by His Majesty's ships in so towing them; and why this method was adopted instead of hiring tugs.
(Answered by Mr. Pretyman.) The reply to the first part of the hon. Member's Question is in the affirmative. It is not possible to say, without calling for a special report, what amount of coal was expended by His Majesty's ships employed on this service, but 7,000 tons may be taken as an approximate figure. This method was adopted as the cost incidental to the hire of tugs, and also of labour for working anchors and cables in mooring the ships after arrival, would have been greater than the cost of the coal consumed. In addition, the towing of these vessels afforded a most useful experience for the officers and crews of the towing ships.