§ 33. Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current annual cost of oil fuel used by Royal naval vessels; to what extent this cost has increased compared with a year ago; and what steps have been taken to economise on the use of fuel.
§ Mr. JuddThe cost in the current financial year of oil fuel used by Her 97W Majesty's ships and Royal Fleet auxiliaries directly supporting the Fleet is expected to be about £33 million at current prices. This represents about £10 million of fuel at prices ruling a little over a year ago.
Most of the measures introduced in November 1973 to restrict the usage of all petroleum fuels were extended after national restrictions on the supply of fuel were suspended at the end of April 1974, and the Royal Navy is continuing to exercise the maximum economies consistent with safeguarding its capability and efficiency.