§ MR. BRADLAUGH, on behalf of Mr. Burt (Morpeth), asked the First Lord of the Treasury if he could now state the terms of reference to the Royal Commission on Mining Royalties; and, whether he could give the names of the Commissioners?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHThe reference to the Royal Commission will substantially be in the following terms, though I do not say that a word or two may not be altered. These terms will give the House the full meaning of the reference—
To inquire into the amounts paid as royalties, head rents, and way-leaves on coal, ironstone, iron ore, and other minerals worked in the United Kingdom, and the terms and conditions under which those payments are made, and into the economic operation thereof upon the mining industries of the country, and, further, to investigate the system of concessions prevailing in some foreign countries, and the conditions under which mining enterprise is conducted in the colonies.I am unable to give the names of the Royal Commissioners at present, but I hope to do so in a few days. I may mention, however, that Lord Northbrook has undertaken to preside over the Commission.
§ MR. W. P. SINCLAIRMay I ask if the right hon. Gentlemen will consider whether the terms of reference to the Commission could be made to include inquiry into the royalties and rents that obtain in relation to taking clay for making bricks or other purposes?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHI must ask to have notice of this question. I was not aware that there was any desire that 990 the making of clay should be included in the inquiry.