§ 7. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can now state the monthly consumption of coal and of oil fuel for the Royal Navy; and if he can state the total expenditure of coal and oil since 1st January, 1919?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAAs stated in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend on 23rd July, it is not considered desirable to publish the figures relating to the Navy expenditure of coal and oil. I may assure him, however, that fuel expenditure for Naval purposes since 1st January last has steadily decreased.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYWould it be possible to publish these figures before the next Naval Estimates?
§ Dr. MACNAMARANo. We are in this following the very excellent practice of the past. If it is desired to alter it representation should be made to the Board first, but I have no authority to alter it.
§ Mr. BILLINGHaving regard to the desirability of saving would the right hon. Gentleman see that the M.L. boats should cease running as ferry boats, having regard to the fact that the petrol consumed is something like a gallon per minute?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI cannot imagine that the M.L. boats are being used now in that way. Most of them are tied up.
§ Mr. BILLINGIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Southampton there is a sort of a ten minutes' service, in many cases boats carrying nothing but a couple of W.A.A.C.'s and one or two non-commissioned officers?
§ Dr. MACNAMARAI will inquire immediately. I think that my hon. Friend is overestimating the amount of running.