§ MR. ROLLSasked the First Lord of the Treasury, If he is aware of any instances of landlords (upon the transfer of colliery or other mineral property) enforcing heavy fines equal to several years' dead rent before giving consent to the transfer of the lease, although the tenant may have only realized one-fourth of the outlay; whether it is within the recollection of the Right honourable gentleman that, as far back as the 12th November 1874, he wrote to Mr. Colborne that he was sensible of the practical importance of the subject; and, whether he is prepared to introduce any measure, or to take any step, for protecting tenants of mineral property from such injustice?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT, in reply, said, he would answer this Question for his right hon. Friend. Certain letters had passed, and Mr. Colborne was informed that it was a matter in which the Government could not interfere. There was no present intention to introduce 101 any such measure as the one referred to in the Question.