§ Mr. MITCHESONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department has considered the recent experiments in the use of mechanical stokers on board ship; and if he proposes to take any steps to encourage experiments in this connection, with a view to the consumption of British coal instead of imported oil for the propulsion of ships?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware that certain ships fitted with water tube boilers and engaged on voyages on which regular supplies of coal of the required grade and quality are available have been equipped with mechanical stokers with satisfactory results. I shall continue to350W watch developments with interest, but I understand that the use of mechanical stokers is practicable in only a very small number of ships.