§ 56. Mr. OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSONasked the Prime Minister whether the Government invited any tenders from, or contemplated any contract with, the Mexican Eagle Company for oil during the year 1912; how far negotiations went; and the reason they were never completed?
§ The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Churchill)Competitive tenders for fuel oil were invited both in 1912 and 1913 from the company in question, but the company were not then in a position to offer oil for early delivery to Admiralty requirements. Prolonged experiments have been carried out in recent months with samples of oils from the newer fields of supply, not only from Mexico, but also from Trinidad, California, Persia, and from Home, with the object of widening and diversifying the sources of oil supply. The results are now engaging the persistent attention of the Board of Admiralty, by whom the subject is regarded as of the highest consequence. Proposals, whether by purchase or by forward contracts, for the supply of oil from the Mexican Eagle and other companies are still under consideration; and having regard to the geographical position of Mexico and its strategic communications with this country, partial reliance upon Mexican supplies would appear to be indicated as a necessary feature in any satisfactory solution of the problem.
§ Major ARCHER-SHEEMay I ask the Prime Minister to whom this question was addressed—whether he will appoint a Com- 1777 mittee to examine the books of Messrs. Montmorency and Company, in view of the published statements that investments have been made?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a question which clearly requires notice.
§ Mr. SWIFT MaCNEILLMay I ask the Prime Minister, arising out of this rather oily, unctuous question—
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt seems to me an important matter.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLIt is.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThen notice should be given.
§ 79. Mr. GEORGE TERRELLasked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if he will state the names of the persons or firms, together with the respective dates, quantities, or values for the year 1912, from whom purchases of oil fuel for the Navy were made?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLIt is the practice of the Admiralty in the public interest not to publish particulars of contracts for important supplies, on which the war efficiency of the Fleet depends. It is regretted that no exception to that rule can be made in the case of the supplies in question.
§ Mr. TERRELLAm I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman objects to publish the names of the persons with whom he has contracted, or the amounts of the contracts?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLUnless any special circumstances are brought to my notice in this House by some Member of the House I shall decline to depart in any respect from the regular, settled, and established practice of the Board of Admiralty.
§ Mr. TERRELL:Is it not customary in a great many cases to publish the names of Admiralty contractors? Why should an exception be made in this case?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo exception will be made. The regular practice will be followed without any deviation in one direction or the other.
§ 80. Mr. HILLSasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that a contract for the supply of lubricating oil for use on Gnome motors has recently been given to a firm who supply Gnomol; 1778 that such oil when used some months ago, gave unsatisfactory results and was found to be dangerous, so that certain naval aviators refused for this reason to use it; whether the only safe oil is pure castor oil; and will he cause inquiries to be made?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am informed that several brands of castor oil for lubricating purposes have been under trial in the Naval Air Service, and purchases have been made of those descriptions (including Gnomol), which have been found to give the most satisfactory results in actual use. Several criticisms of various brands of castor oil, including so called "pure castor oil," have been received from time to time. At the present time Gnomol is giving the most satisfactory results. No special inquiries appear necessary as the naval aviators are in close touch with the Admiralty purchasing Departments on this matter.
§ Earl WINTERTONWill this question come within the purview of the Committee now sitting on the supply of oil fuel for the Navy?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLNo. The question of lubricating oil for aircraft is a very small one, and does not raise any of the difficult problems connected with the supply of oil fuel for the Navy.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLDoes the right hon. Gentleman notice the transfer of interest from Marconis to "Oils"?