§ MR. ROLLSasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether the Papers which have been placed before him have satisfied him that fines amounting to £800, equal to eight years' minimum rent, were exacted by a landlord, without any valid consideration, upon the transfer of mineral leases, although the last transfer was to tenants of very high standing, and adequate capital, one of such tenants having subsequently filled the office of Mayor of Derby; and, whether, having regard to the statement of the First Lord of the Treasury, on the 31st July 1883, that the question of protecting tenants of mineral and other properties from confiscation of portion of their capital touched a matter undoubtedly of very great importance, to which it would be the duty of the Government to give its attention, Her Majesty's Ministers are now prepared to recommend the appointment of a Commission or Committee for the purpose of considering in what way (with due regard to the rights of the landlords) tenants of mineral properties could be protected against confiscation of portion of their capital, by the enforcement, without any valid consideration, of fines, in many cases excessive, on the transfer of their leases, or in what other way Her Majesty's Government are prepared to give that attention which the First Lord of the Treasury has stated it is the duty of the Government to give to this question?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURTI have examined the papers the hon. Member has sent me. But the former answers given by myself and the Prime Minister were that if any strong case were made out, we would have the matter investigated. But the hon. Member has only sent me one single case, which occurred seven years ago, where one person demanded a fine of £300. A single case of that kind is not a ground for the appointment of a Royal Commission. As far as I can see, the only remedy is 1391 for speculators in coal mines to protect themselves by proper agreements, which would prevent owners from demanding improper fines on assignment.