§ Mr. HUNTasked whether, at any time during last September, any of the warships of the Home Fleet were short of the full amount of coal and ammunition required for a naval battle?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA certain amount of practice ammunition is used at battle practice, and coal is burned from day to day by ships at sea. Regular arrangements for replenishing supplies are always made. At no time was the supply of service ammunition less than 98 per cent. of the full outfit, or the coal below two-thirds full supply. The Fleet was, therefore, at all times ready for action. I trust the hon. Member will not be too ready to give credence to excitable rumours.
§ Mr. HUNTIs it not the fact that an enormous amount of coal was rushed to the north at the time of the crisis?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo, Sir. I have heard about that matter. The arrangement for taking the coal across the country at that particular time was many months before the occasion indicated arose.