§ 24. Mr. FELLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is taking any steps to counteract the price being charged for oil for fuel purposes; and if the continued scarcity and high price will affect the future construction of oil-burning ships for the Navy?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAll possible steps are and will be taken to obtain supplies of oil fuel for His Majesty's Navy on the best terms. The question of fuel supply must necessarily have an important bearing upon the design of ships.
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI believe there is a Committee sitting almost daily on this subject which is one of great difficulty, and the importance of which we are certainly not likely to lose sight of. I have no further statement of policy to make at the present moment.