asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the estimated consumption of oil fuel necessary for the use of the Royal Navy for the year 1924–25; whether this is an increase on the year 1923–24; whether it is estimated that the necessary amount will increase from year to year; and how much of the required quantity could be obtained in case of emergency front sources under British control and entirely outside the international oil combines?

I regret that it is not in the public interest to furnish the particulars asked for.