§ Colonel BURTONasked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give an estimate of the cost of changing over the present oil-burning ships in the Navy to coal burning and of the extra amount of British coal which would be required for this purpose?
Sir B. EYRES MONSELLWithout taking into account the effect of the change suggested on the cost of personnel and fuelling services, it is estimated that the cost would be at least £35,000,000. The maximum speed and endurance obtained, and the extent to which ships could be subdivided, would be so seriously reduced as to make the change entirely out of the question. If the Navy burned coal exclusively, its consumption would not exceed one half of one per cent. of the total national output of coal.