§ 10. Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLEasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many days were spent at sea, and in carrying out exercises, respectively, by each of the capital ships in His Majesty's Navy during 1934; how the average number compares with that spent at sea by the capital ships of His Majesty's Navy in pre-war years; and what would be the additional cost in fuel at the present time for each additional week spent at sea by the Atlantic and Mediterranean Fleets?
Sir B EYRES MONSELLSince the answer is somewhat long and involves a tabular statement, I will with my hon Friend's permission circulate most of it in the OFFICIAL REPORT I may say how ever that the average number of days spent at sea by capital ships in 1934 is 47, Compared with 38in 1913.
§ Following is the answer:
| Home Fleet. | |
| Days. | |
| "Nelson" | 57 |
| "Rodney" | 55 |
| "Barham" | 39 |
| "Valiant" | 56 |
| "Hood" | 40 |
| "Renown" | 38 |
| "Malaya" (to large repair, August, 1934) | 54 |
| Mediterranean Fleet. | |
| Days. | |
| "Queen Elizabeth" | 49 |
| "Royal Sovereign" | 44 |
| "Ramilles" (from large repair,September,1934) | 11 |
| "Revenge" (refit, and recommissioning at portsmouth from 30th may, 1934, to 20th August, 1934) | 44 |
| "Resolution" | 46 |
| "Royal Oak" (to large repair, April, 1934) | 9 |
§ His Majesty's Ships "Repulse" and "Warspite" were under large repair during the whole of 1934. Movements of ships leaving port for exercises for not more than two days, and returning to the same port, are not reported to the Admiralty; and the above figures do not include such movements, of which there are a very considerable number. The cost of the additional fuel which would be expended by ships of the Home and Mediterranean Fleets while steaming for a week (168 hours) at a speed of 12 knots, instead of remaining in harbour, is estimated to be approximately £70,000.