§ MR. WATT (Glasgow, Camlachie)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to the large find of gold in certain parts of Wales, the yield equalling, it is said, the best gold mines in the world; and, whether the precious metals so found, or their equivalent value, are, by law, the property of the Crown under the Acts 1 Will & Mary s. 2, c. 30; 5 & 6 Will. & Mary, c. 6; and 55 Geo. 111. 719 c. 134; and, if so, whether the Government are taking any, and, if so, what, steps to insure that the gold so found, or its equivalent value, is secured to the State in accordance with the provisions of the law?
§ THE FIRST LORD (Mr. W. H. SMITH) (Strand, Westminster)Notice has been given by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests that all mines Royal of gold and silver, wherever found in the United Kingdom, belong to the Crown, and are not to be worked without authority from the Commissioners. The Commissioners are taking stops to insure that a fair equivalent for the gold found in Wales is secured for the Crown and the public.