§ MR. W. PRITCHARD MORGANI beg to ask the Attorney General whether, in view of the unsatisfactory and doubtful state of the law respecting the metalliferous mines of Great Britain and Ireland which contain base and precious metals in varied proportions and of varied values, and of the want of uniformity of the law in Her Majesty's possessions, the Government would support legislation which would make the law uniform, or, failing that, would alter the law so as to encourage (while maintaining the prerogative of the Crown) the development of the mineral resources of Great Britain and Ireland with profit to the owners of such mines and to the State?
SIR R. WEBSTERIn reply to the hon. Member's question, it is not possible for me to express any opinion as to the action of the Government until I have an opportunity of seeing any proposed Bill and considering the changes of the law there by effected. I am not, however, at present prepared to recommend any alteration of the law in the direction indicated by the hon. Member, although Her Majesty's Government are very desirous of encouraging the development of the mineral resources of Great Britain and Ireland.