§ 14. Sir W. DAVISONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether in fixing the number of cruisers required by this country to protect our trade routes in time of war, allowance was made for those which would be specially required in convoying from foreign countries the large amount of oil fuel now required by the Royal Navy; and what allowance has been made in this respect?
§ Mr. AMMONAll relevant considerations are taken into account in calculating the number of cruisers required by this country to protect our trade routes in time of war. It would not be in the public interest to disclose details of the services which these vessels will be called upon to perform or to indicate what special steps are envisaged for the protection of supplies of any particular commodity.
§ Sir W. DAVISONCan the hon. Member say whether it is not a fact that a very much larger amount of fuel oil, in an ever increasing amount, is now re- 958 quired for the Royal Navy than was the case when the Washington Conference was held.
§ Mr. HOLFORD KNIGHTMay I ask whether the trade routes referred to traverse the trade routes of the world?