§ 80. Mr. BATEYasked the First Lord of the Admiralty the cost of coal used by the Navy in 1913 and in 1924 and the cost of oil used by the Navy in 1924; and if he can compare the cost for oil with the probable cost of coal if coal instead of oil had been used?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the ADMIRALTY (Mr. Davidson)The cost of coal used by the Navy in 1913 and 1924 was:
I regret that it is not in the public interest to furnish the cost of oil used by the Navy in 1924.
£ 1913 … … … 2,081,800 1924 … … … 534,500
§ Mr. BATEYIs that answer sufficient? Will not other countries know the cost of oil just as well as this country? Some of us are interested in coal, and we want to know whether we are justified in using oil when it is dearer than coal.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESWill the hon. Gentleman give us the equivalent quantities of oil and coal?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODDo we understand that the hon. Gentleman is not in a position to inform this House whether it is more economical to run the Navy on oil than on coal?
Mr. DAVIDSONEfficiency is of the first importance. The Navy would not be run on oil unless it were more efficient to do so.