§ 11. Sir BASIL PETOasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in the case of imports of oil for use in the British Navy, it is the practice of the Admiralty to require the oil to be shipped in British-owned vessels?
Captain WALLACEFuel oil is purchased on a free-on-board basis and is invariably shipped in British-owned vessels under Admiralty control. The relatively small quantities of petroleum spirit and lubricating oils required by the Navy are bought from suppliers in the United Kingdom, and it would be impracticable to ensure that they should be imported in British-owned vessels.
§ Mr. MARTINCan the hon. Gentleman say whether these imports are decreasing in favour of the use of coal?
Captain WALLACEI do not think that arises out of the question. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question down.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODSeeing that they want this oil shipped in British-owned vessels, will the hon. Gentleman see that it not only comes in British ships but that those ships are manned by British seamen and not by Chinese?
9. Lieut.-Colonel WATTS-MORGAN (for Mr. DAVID DAVIES)asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty has yet purchased any synthetic fuel oil produced in this country; and, if so, what was the number of tons 1113 of such oil purchased in the years 1929, 1930, 1931, and 1932, giving the price paid per ton in each year?
Captain WALLACEIt is presumed that the hon. Member's question refers to low temperature and hydrogenated oils. The following quantities of these oils have been purchased during the period in question:
| Tons. | |||||
| 1929 | … | … | … | … | 20 |
| 1930 | … | … | … | … | 540¾ |
| 1931 | … | … | … | … | 224 |
| 1932 | … | … | … | … | 220 |
§ It is not in the public interest to publish the prices paid.