§ 20. Mr. HARTSHORNasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can say what quantity of coal is at present consumed by the British and Allied Navies; and what was the quantity used by those Navies before the War?
§ Mr. LONGIt is regretted that information as to the quantity of coal consumed by the Allied Navies at present and before the War is not available. In the case of our own ships, it is not usual to publish figures. I assume, however, that my hon. Friend's desire is to obtain information as to relative expenditure during the two periods, and I am able to inform him that the British pre-war expenditure will certainly not be exceeded when later in the 341 year salvage and mine-sweeping operations have been completed. My hon. Friend will realise that these necessary services occasion an appreciable temporary increase in expenditure.