§ MR. W. EWARTsaid, he wished to inquire of the hon. Gentleman the Secretary to the Treasury whether any further information could be laid before the House respecting the nature, supply, and cost of coal produced at Heraclia and other places on the south coast of the Black Sea?
§ MR. WILSONsaid, that, by paying the labourers regularly, a course which had not been adopted for some time past, the quantity of coal produced had been increased from 30,000 to 60,000 tons, and that the quantity supplied was amply sufficient for the entire consumption of the British and French navies. The royalty paid to the Turkish Government was at the rate of 10s. per ton, and the cost of getting the coal and putting it on board was 15s. per ton, making the prime cost of the coal on board 25s. per ton. By an arrangement now making for laying down a tramway from the pit to the place of embarkation, it was expected that the cost of conveyance would be reduced by 5s. per ton, so that hereafter the cost would be reduced to 20s. per ton. The quality of the coal was good and suitable for all the purposes of steam vessels.