HC Deb 11 July 1928 vol 219 cc2214-5
14. Mr. C. EDWARDS

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the small obsolete warship which he is willing to lend for experimental purposes with pulverised coal fuel is sufficiently modern to secure a fair test and for obtaining the best possible results?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

It is presumed that the purposes of any experiments carried out in a converted vessel would be to determine the practical and financial difficulties to be overcome in the use of pulverised fuel in a sea-going ship. The type of vessels which the Admiralty are willing to lend would be entirely suitable for such a purpose.

Mr. EDWARDS

If that is so, why was the offer rejected by those who desire to make the tests?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

What offer? I do not know to what the hon. Member is referring.

Mr. EDWARDS

I understand that they asked for a certain vessel on which these experiments could be made. Why was it rejected if the vessel was all that could be desired and they could get the best results?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

My answer is that the type of vessel which we think will give the best results has been offered to them, and I do not know what more I can do.

Mr. PALING

Has there been any refusal of the type of vessel offered to them?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

That question is difficult to understand. "Refusal of the type of vessel offered" might open up a wide discussion. I have no doubt that we selected what we thought was the most suitable, and I have no reason to suppose that they have differed from our view.

Mr. PALING

Have they refused the proposal of the right hon. Gentleman on account of the type of vessel not being suitable?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I am not aware of their having refused. I am sorry I did not understand the hon. Member's first question.