HC Deb 26 April 1927 vol 205 cc641-2
2. Mr. CAPE

asked the President of the Board of Trade for figures showing the cost of running merchant ships by coal and oil, respectively?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir Burton Chadwick)

I regret that owing to the many varying factors which enter into the question it is not possible for me to give any reliable figures as to the comparative costs of running ships by oil and coal.

3. Mr. W. M. WATSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade which shipping companies used oil for running their merchant ships during the general strike and the coal dispute of 1926; for how many ships oil was so used; and for how many ships they are continuing to use it at the present time?

Sir B. CHADWICK

I regret that the information asked for by the hon. Member is not available.