§ (2.) £50,000, Army Department (Conveyance of Troops).
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked if this was an Army or a Navy Vote, and if there was any item called "the charge for coal?" Perhaps the Secretary to the Admiralty could say whether the Government was aware what amount of coal there was in the different ports and Navy Yards of the country. Some years ago it was discovered that £6,000 worth of coals, at Portsmouth, had been overlooked for a very long time; and it was very possible that the taking of stock with regard to coal in England was not altogether complete yet. With regard to coal, again, he believed that sundry complaints had been made to the Admiralty as to some very questionable transactions in the shape of the issue of coals to private purchasers in Gibraltar, and some other places. Possibly the hon. Gentleman would tell them what the Government had done in the matter.
§ MR. TREVELYANsaid, that the Services for which money was asked were entirely connected with the Army. There undoubtedly did exist an abuse at Gibraltar with regard to the sale of coals to private persons. He thought the system would not be found so objectionable if the sales had 687 been made directly to the merchant ships; but they were conducted through a middleman. The matter was only brought to the knowledge of the Admiralty within the last few months, and very strict orders had been issued to stop the sales. He had a communication on the subject only two days ago, and he had not the least suspicion that the abuse was existing, nor did he think it was at all probable that there were any large stocks of coal overlooked in any of their establishments. The stock of coal for the year had been kept extremely low, and in those parts of the world where coal depreciated patent fuel was being used.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked who the middleman was through whom the sales of coals were made at Gibraltar, and whether he was connected with any other Government contract?
§ MR. TREVELYANsaid, he might observe that the question had nothing to do with the Vote. The coal which the Vote referred to was entirely used in two transports, which made a voyage from the Cape to Bombay. Perhaps the word "abuse" was too strong a word to use in respect to what had transpired at Gibraltar. He had no reason to believe there was anything surreptitious; it was only the system that was bad. The name of the middleman, or coal agent, he did not remember at present; but he would ascertain his name, and he would also inform the hon. Member whether there was anything which called for reprehension.
§ Vote agreed to.
§ Resolutions to be reported upon Monday next;
§ Committee to sit again upon Monday next.